Miracle on Ice captain Mike Eruzione regrets wearing a ‘Keep America Great’ hat at Trump rally – USA TODAY

Posted: February 25, 2020 at 7:49 pm

SportsPulse: Mike Eruzione of the 'Miracle on Ice' hockey team spoke with USA TODAY Sports about the turmoil going on in American during their historic olympic run and whether or not it played a role on their psyche. USA TODAY

The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team celebrated the 40th anniversary of their dramaticupset over the Soviet Union in Las Vegas last weekend, including an appearance at President Donald Trump's campaign rally.

Of the 14 players to climb on stage with the president, 10 donned red "Keep America Great"caps, similar to the "Make America Great Again" hats that became popular during Trump's victorious 2016 campaign and synonymous with him.

The team faced significant backlash online for the political display. But Mike Eruzione, the captain of the 1980 squad who scored the game-winning goal over the Russians, told the Washington Post the team was surprised by the reaction.

"If we knew we were going to piss off this many people, we probably would not have put the hats on, Eruzione told the Post. Thats the big question here. A lot of the stuff I got was, You guys said its not political, but when you put the hats on, you made it political.'

"I told my wife, 'People think we are a disgrace.'"

President Donald Trump listens as Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 U.S men's Olympic hockey team, speaks during a campaign rally.(Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP)

Eruzione said the team was in town to drop the puck at a Las Vegas GoldenKnights game, but received a call from the Trump campaign to appear for a photo with the president. After the picture, Trump invited them to join him onstage.

"What are you going to say?"Eruzione told the Post. "To us it was, 'Sure.'

"I just put (the hat) on. I wasnt thinking. Maybe this shows Im naive, shows Im stupid. I dont know. I dont follow politics. I know hes had some issues and said a lot of things people dont like."

Eruzione also told the Post he voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and voted for Trump eight years later.

This isn't the first time a red Trump hat has led to uproar in sports. During the Washington Nationals' White House celebration in November, Kurt Suzuki pulled out a "MAGA" hat when he stepped to the podium, and Trump then embraced him from behind.

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Miracle on Ice captain Mike Eruzione regrets wearing a 'Keep America Great' hat at Trump rally - USA TODAY

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