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President Donald Trump is expected to attend the SEC football matchup between the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Saturday.
The University of Alabama confirmed Trump’s plans to attend in a statement on Monday.
“The safety of our campus is and will remain our top priority, and UAPD will work closely with the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners to coordinate security,” the university said in a statement.
“Additional safety measures will be enacted in collaboration with local and federal agencies, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to expedite the security screening process,” the statement added.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer responded to Trump’s plans to attend, but did not mention him by name.
“I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of celebrity-type people here – people that want to come be a part of what’s happening on gameday,” DeBoer told AL.com. “Everyone’s watching. It’ll be great to have everyone who wants to come watch be here.
“For us, I told the guys this, with ‘Gameday’ and everything coming here as well, for the guys, try to take as much off of their plate other than maybe a few extra interviews toward the end of the week. The main thing is they get prepared to play the best football game that they’ve played this year. I’ve always challenged them to play the best football game they’ve ever played in their career. That’s what matters when it comes down to what we can control.
“But yeah, it is kinda cool we have a lot of people who want to come be a part of the atmosphere and add to the excitement and energy the game will bring.”
Trump’s appearance will mark the third time he has attended a Crimson Tide football game. He attended the 2018 national title between Alabama and Georgia and a 2019 game against Louisiana State University.
Georgia is currently ranked second in the AP Top 25 rankings. Alabama stands at number four. Both teams are currently undefeated.
The event is expected to include heightened security, especially following two assassination attempts against Trump in the past two months. He faced a bullet that grazed his right ear in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, and a shooter at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, earlier this month.
