Kesha Kennings isn’t a huge football fan. But she appreciated seeing former Atlanta Falcons and University of Georgia running back Todd Gurley join President Donald Trump at a Republican campaign rally in Dalton, Georgia.
The retired Navy veteran, who lives in Dallas, Georgia, was one of several Black Trump supporters who attended the event Friday.
Kennings wasn’t sure whether Gurley or Trump’s backing will help Rick Jackson, Mike Collins and others on the GOP ticket win more Black support during the Nov. 3 midterm election, but she hopes it does. She’s pushed back against Black folks on and off social media who have condemned Gurley for becoming the latest Black athlete to stump with Trump.
“For some strange reason, Democrats think they own all Black folks, like the slave trade,” Kennings told Capital B Atlanta. “I love when Black people are courageous enough to speak out against them and for President Trump.”
While observers may consider Gurley’s appearance as support for the president and Georgia’s GOP ticket, he didn’t say much in support of Trump’s policies during the rally. He thanked the president for hosting him at the White House before their flight to Dalton aboard Air Force One.
“Go dawgs! I want to thank President Trump today for the experience of being on Air Force One, welcoming me to the White House,” Gurley said from the podium. “Thank you so much. Thank you to the state of Georgia for everything y’all done to me. And go dawgs!”
An Associated Press photographer also snapped a pic of Gurley posing for a selfie with GOP Senate nominee Mike Collins during the day.
Trump’s recent appearances with Gurley, and boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and longtime friend Mike Tyson, appear to be the president’s way of trying to regain support he’s lost among Black voters.
Some Black social media users accused Gurley of “bootlicking,” tap dancing, and being an Uncle Tom for appearing with Trump. Jackson campaign spokesman Garrison Douglas noted the long history of Democrats and Republicans using celebrity endorsements as a way to curry favor with fans of stars.
Stacey Abrams courted support from 21 Savage, Lil Baby, and Charlamagne Tha God in 2022 to help her win over Black men voters. Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B raised some eyebrows in 2024 when they campaigned in support for Kamala Harris.
“Whether it’s Democrats or Republicans, you’re going to see those campaigns take the opportunity to reach audiences that maybe they themselves, as a political operation, don’t have the ability to reach,” Douglas said.
In addition to Gurley, Trump has also appeared at political events with current UGA QB Gunner Stockton and former Georgia Tech kicker Harrison Butker. Current Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa called it an “honor” last year when he was appointed to Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, according to ESPN. He was still with the Miami Dolphins at the time.
Heisman Trophy winner and UGA football legend Herschel Walker has been one of the president’s biggest supporters from the sports world. Trump’s endorsement helped Walker win the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate during the 2022 election cycle, but it wasn’t enough for Walker to defeat Raphael Warnock during the general election the same year.
Douglas said Trump’s visit to Dalton wasn’t planned by Jackson’s team. The Georgia-based billionaire was “just a guest” at the event, designed to energize the party’s MAGA base during a midterm cycle where the GOP is projected to lose control of Congress amid a forecasted blue wave of Democratic victories.
It’s unclear whether Gurley’s backing of Trump will help Jackson, Collins, and other Republican candidates gain Black voters. Douglas noted results from a new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll showing Trump still remains popular with most of his MAGA GOP base despite losing support among independents and other demographics over the rising cost of living, the Jeffrey Epstein files, and the war with Iran.
Douglas said the race for governor between Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is no longer about persuading swing voters.
“At the end of the day, we’re now in a turnout phase where we’re making sure we’re turning out our supporters, whether that’s Republican-based supporters, whether that’s independents who are showing support for Rick Jackson or what have you,” he said. “Polls are open, and everything we’re doing now is focused on making sure we’re turning out our supporters.”
Early voting in the midterms ends Oct. 30. So far, Black voters have fueled record turnout during this cycle’s early voting period, according to multiple sources.
Polls are set to open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 3.
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