The Georgia Bulldogs’ quarterback Gunner Stockton, who just wrapped a strong 2025 season as the starter, is returning for another year in Athens instead of jumping to the 2026 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old threw for 2,894 yards, 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His solid numbers kept Kirby Smart’s team competitive in the SEC.
But right now, with spring ball still weeks away, Stockton is making headlines off the field after showing up at President Donald Trump’s rally in Rome, Georgia, on Thursday. But college football fans don’t like his meet-and-greet with the president.
Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton joins Donald Trump & Herschel Walker on stage
Stockton met Trump on the tarmac with Herschel Walker before joining him on stage at the Coosa Steel service center. Trump introduced the redshirt senior as a “big star” and a “talented quarterback,” jokingly adding, “more importantly, he’s a Trump fan.”
USATSI 27361508 scaled
Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of the game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The signal-caller kept his comments brief,saying, “This is a great opportunity just to meet President Donald Trump. This is an awesome experience, and I’m just glad to be here.”
Georgia Bulldogs Star QB Gunner Stockton Shows Up at President Trump’s Rome, Georgia Rally: “This is a great opportunity just to meet President Donald Trump. This is an awesome experience, and I’m just glad to be here.”
Awesome! pic.twitter.com/ZBrp3c3SBJ
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) February 19, 2026
The moment immediately went viral since, where sports and politics constantly collide, the optics didn’t sit well with everyone. Many critics brought up years-old allegations surrounding the Epstein files. Even though no legal charges tied Trump to new crimes in those documents, the “guilt by association” narrative took hold.
ALSO READ:Police Arrest Georgia Linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon on Reckless Driving
And theformer four-star recruit out of Rabun Countyfaced immediate backlash online for the handshake and stage time alone, turning a casual appearance into a big online outrage.
Fans go nuclear over Gunner Stockton’s appearance
The “Dawg Nation” and the broader college football community on social media did not hold back, with many users harshly accusing the quarterback.
One user fired off,noting, “Ah Gunner, you don’t shake hands with a Pedophile.”
Another fanadded, “Well, Stockton is who we thought he was. A young man who loves a racist… who is also a felon… adjudicated fraudster and a f—– PEDOPHILE. Nice work Gunnar.”
A thirddoubled down, “The man didn’t even serve in the military and rapes kids … gunner is a Pedo protector by association bye.”
The fourth fanpenned, “Gunner Stockton just went on stage and let Trump use him for clout. Imagine being an athlete wanting to go pro but affiliating with the 2nd most notorious pedophile in history.”
A random furious fan bluntlynoted, “How you let a child murderer use you for clout?… Fixed it for you.”
It is really unfortunate that he has found himself pulled into a political debate about the president that some people are still struggling to move past.