However, sources close to the governor tell a different story. One aide, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confided that Walz was “absolutely devastated” by the public rejection. “He loves football. Loves it. He thought this was going to be a great moment for him—a chance to show he’s just a regular guy. Instead, he’s basically been turned into the political equivalent of a quarterback who throws nothing but interceptions.”
Rumors have already begun swirling that Walz may now opt to stick to watching games from the comfort of his living room, where the only boos he’ll hear will be coming from his television screen—and perhaps the occasional call from an angry constituent.
The fallout from the Michigan game has spilled into political discourse as well. Republican strategists are already crafting talking points about Walz’s inability to even win over football fans, suggesting that if he can’t handle the roar of a stadium crowd, how can he possibly manage the pressures of the vice presidency? One commentator quipped, “If he gets rattled by a few boos, what’s going to happen when he faces a hostile Congress?”
On social media, the memes came fast and furious. One viral post showed an image of Walz’s motorcade pulling up to the stadium, with the caption: “When you thought you were going to a pep rally, but you walked into a roast.” Another meme featured Walz’s bewildered expression, superimposed with the words: “Coach told me I’d be a starter…but I never even made the team.”
