You remember the Presidential Fitness Test, right? That dreaded day in middle school where you had to do the shuttle run and the sit-and-reach while your crush watched from the bleachers. Well, it's back.
In a move that feels like a massive nostalgia trip for some and a nightmare for others, the Trump administration officially revived the "President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition" as we hit 2026. This isn't just about kids doing pull-ups, though. The list of trump sports council members has become a fascinating cross-section of modern sports stars, old-school legends, and some very public "thanks, but no thanks" moments.
Honestly, it’s a weird mix. You’ve got active NFL stars sitting next to golf legends and the guys who run the biggest leagues in the world.
The Heavy Hitters Leading the Charge
The big name at the top is Bryson DeChambeau. Trump tapped the LIV Golf star and two-time U.S. Open champion to serve as the Chair of the council. It makes sense if you’ve followed their relationship—Bryson has been a frequent face on the President’s social media, and they’ve filmed golf content together that pulled in millions of views.
Joining him as the "muscle" of the operation is Paul "Triple H" Levesque. The WWE icon and current executive is a cornerstone of the 2026 council. It’s a bit of a throwback to when Arnold Schwarzenegger held a similar role, bringing that "larger than life" fitness energy to the federal level.
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But the roster goes much deeper than just golf and wrestling. The administration filled the seats with a "who's who" of sports royalty. You've got Wayne Gretzky, known simply as "The Great One," and New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera. Rivera has been a mainstay on this council before, so his return wasn't a huge shock to anyone paying attention.
Then you have the NFL contingent. It's massive. Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers and Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs are both on the list. So is Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins quarterback. Even the retired greats are back in the fold, with Tony Romo and Lawrence Taylor—the guy many consider the greatest defensive player ever—officially listed.
That Awkward Saquon Barkley Situation
Politics and sports are always a messy marriage, and nothing proved that more than the Saquon Barkley drama. When the White House first released the names of the trump sports council members in late 2025, Barkley’s name was right there in black and white.
The problem? Saquon didn't seem to know he'd "joined."
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Basically, the Eagles running back told reporters he was "shocked" to see his name on the list. He mentioned that while his team had been approached about it months prior, he hadn't actually committed to anything. He ultimately declined the appointment, which created a bit of a PR headache for the administration. It’s a good reminder that just because a name is on a press release doesn't mean the person is actually in the room.
The Suit-and-Tie Crowd
It’s not all just athletes. If you want to actually change how sports work in America, you need the people who sign the checks. That’s why Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner) and Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner) were added to the council.
They’re joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, the "elder statesmen" of golf. The council also includes Nelly Korda, who has been dominating the LPGA, and Annika Sörenstam. It’s a deliberate attempt to cover almost every major demographic in American sports.
What This Council Actually Does in 2026
It’s easy to think this is just a vanity project, but there’s a specific mandate for 2026. The U.S. is hitting its semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the country. The council is using that milestone to push a "national health renewal."
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They’re focusing on a few specific things:
- The Reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test: This is the big one. They want to put standardized fitness testing back into public schools to track "national vitality."
- MAHA (Make America Healthy Again): Working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), the council is pushing to get "real food" back into school cafeterias.
- Youth Sports Strategy: They’re looking to subsidize or promote school-based programs that reward physical excellence, not just participation.
The Reality Check
Look, these councils have existed since the Eisenhower era. Sometimes they do a lot, like when JFK used it to push a "soft on fitness" narrative during the Cold War. Other times, they’re just a way for the President to hang out with famous athletes.
The 2026 version feels like a bit of both. By bringing in guys like Cody Campbell (former Colts player turned businessman) and Catherine Granito (the Executive Director), there’s a clear attempt to blend sports fame with actual policy implementation.
If you're a parent or a teacher, the "actionable" part of this is that you're probably going to see the Presidential Fitness Award reappear in your local school district soon. The administration is pushing for these tests to be the "main assessment tool" for physical education again.
If you want to stay ahead of how this affects your local school or your kids' sports programs, keep an eye on the official odphp.health.gov portal. That’s where the actual "science board" findings and the new fitness standards are being posted. You can also look up the "National Youth Sports Strategy" to see if your local community center qualifies for any of the new grants being pushed by the council members this year.
Whether you love the roster or think it's a weird celebrity mashup, the goal is clear: get Americans moving again before the 250th-birthday party starts. Check your local school's PE curriculum updates for the 2026-2027 year to see exactly how these "new" old standards are being rolled out.