WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Ohio State’s national championship trophy is safe after Vice President JD Vance nearly dropped it on stage during the team’s ceremony at the White House on Monday.

Near the end of the ceremony, Vance, President Donald Trump and the team gathered to take a photo at center stage after Trump was presented with a personalized Ohio State jersey.

Vance is then seen looking to his right, where the national championship trophy sat on a table. He then pointed at it, presumably suggesting that he hold it for the photo.

He proceeded to walk over and attempt to pick it up, when running back TreVeyon Henderson stepped in to give him a hand.

As Vance lifted the trophy, the black base and the gold trophy separated, sending the trophy falling over Vance’s shoulder and the base tumbling to the ground.

Audible gasps came from the players and crowd as the United States Marine Corps Band continued playing “We Are the Champions.”

Henderson and linebacker Cody Simon were able to catch the trophy before it fell.

After the fumble, Vance took the trophy — sans black base holder — for a photo.

Shortly after the incident, Vance took to his X account to address what happened.

“I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it,” he wrote.

The Buckeyes won the first title in the first year of the 12-team playoff, defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in the final.

It was Ohio State’s first national championship win since 2015 and Day’s first with the program.

Trump did not attend the national championship game but did have a prerecorded video that aired during the game, which took place on the same day as the inauguration.

Over the weekend, the football team received three rings during the Ohio State spring game at Ohio Stadium.

Players and coaches from the 2024 championship team received a ring for making the College Football Playoff, one from the CFP for winning it and a championship ring from Ohio State.