President Donald Trump became the first commander-in-chief to attend a Super Bowl on Sunday, a fact he seemed surprised to learn when it was brought to his attention ahead of the game.

Trum extolled  the NFL’s annual championship game is a unique part of American culture.

“The coaches, players, and team staff on the field tonight represent the best of the best in professional football, but they also embody the best of the American Dream. Their hard work, dedication, and tenacity is admirable, and their individual journeys are as inspiring as the drive and determination that has led them to this extraordinary moment,” he said in a message shared by the White House.

Football is also, Trump noted, the nation’s most popular sport.

“For good reason — it fosters a sense of national unity, bringing families, friends, and fans together and strengthening communities,” the president said.

The Super Bowl itself, Trump said, is an annual American family tradition that somehow “transcends our differences and personifies our shared patriotic values of family, faith, and freedom heroically defended by our military service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders.”

Ahead of his appearance at the Superdome in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX and a highly anticipated matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and returning champions the Kansas City Chiefs, Trump sat down with Fox News’ Bret Baier. That’s when he learned he was the first sitting U.S. president to attend the big game.

“I’m very surprised to hear that. I would have assumed many presidents came,” Trump said.

Still, Trump said, since his inauguration the country has taken on “a whole new life,” and so his appearance at what could be the most widely viewed telecast event in history “is a good thing for the country. It’s an iconic day.”

He also used the occasion to express condolences to the victims and families of those killed or injured during a New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street.

While many people would travel to New Orleans to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl, Trump called on everyone to “remember that 14 families will be missing a loved one who was tragically murdered during a senseless terrorist attack while celebrating the New Year on Bourbon Street.”

“Our thoughts are also with the 35 individuals injured during the attack whose lives were changed forever that fateful night, and our prayers will remain with them for continued strength, comfort, and healing,” he said.

According to the White House, upon arrival to Caesars Superdome on Sunday, the President was scheduled to participate in a meet and greet with the honorary coin toss participants, which included family members of the victims from the New Year’s terrorist attack and members of the New Orleans Police Department.

Although Trump’s visit to the Super Bowl represents the first time a sitting president made it to the game, it’s not the first time Trump has attended an NFL season finale. The former reality star, who briefly and unsuccessfully dabbled in professional football ownership before his career in politics began, attended Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, when the former Washington Red Skins beat the Buffalo Bills 37-24.

Trump was coy about who he thought might win this year’s Vince Lombardi Trophy in the days leading up to the championship game, but told Fox News he’s leaning toward the Chiefs due to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ history of winning high-pressure games.

“I guess you have to say that when a quarterback wins as much as he’s won, I have to go with Kansas City,” Trump said. “He’s a great, great quarterback.”

President Donald Trump walks on the field after posing with members of the New Orleans Police Department, emergency personnel and family members of the victims of the New Orleans terrorist attack before the start of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
President Trump, with his grandson Theodore, left, walks on the field before the start of the Super Bowl LIX. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)