The fact that Marco Rubio is filling many roles in the Trump administration has turned into a meme. It is also a good thing, as Marco is a man of both unusual talents and outstanding character. And also a serious football fan.
Tom Cotton told me years ago that it takes time for senators to assemble when they are being summoned for a vote, and while they are waiting for others to arrive, he and Rubio would frequently hang about together, talking sports. No surprise: Marco has said that his dream was to be a college football player, but he found that he wasn’t big enough. His son, however, is a running back for the University of Florida, and while I believe he is a walk-on, he scored a touchdown in the Gators’ recent bowl game.
When the Miami Dolphins parted company with their general manager and head coach, Marco denied, tongue firmly in cheek, that he intended to add those jobs to his portfolio:
I do not normally respond to online rumors but feel the need to do so at this moment
I will not be a candidate for the currently vacant HC and GM positions with the Miami Dolphins.
While you never know what the future may bring right now my focus must remain on global events…
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 8, 2026
With Marco’s home-town University of Miami Hurricanes in college football’s championship game, Rubio and two of his sons were able to get down on the field before game-time, where Marco gave an interview to Clay Travis. His analysis of the upcoming game was astute, and if he predicted the wrong winner, he probably had no choice as a Floridian:
Talking Miami-Indiana, college football and NFL with @marcorubio and his son Anthony before the game. pic.twitter.com/vCD8aG9HgL
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 20, 2026
Rubio is easily knowledgeable enough to have a second career as a football broadcaster when his public service is finished.
Years ago, I saw quite a bit of Rubio and had him as a guest on numerous radio shows and podcasts. I had the privilege of spending some time with him in person, too. Based on my experience, he is both extremely talented and one of the genuinely good guys of the political world. Unfortunately, I have lost touch with him in recent years. But as far as I can tell, he is the same likable guy I worked with a few years ago. In my opinion, the more roles he fills in the Trump administration, the better.
