Gretzky's White House Gig: NHL Icon Joins Trump's Fitness Council
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Gretzky's White House Gig: NHL Icon Joins Trump's Fitness Council
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Wayne Gretzky has once again found himself at the center of North American sports and political headlines, as his appointment to Donald Trump’s newly reconstituted President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition was announced on August 1. Along with the likes of NHL star Matthew Tkachuk, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, pro golfer Jack Nicklaus, and even NHL chief Gary Bettman, Gretzky will serve in this role to promote public health—specifically, fitness and nutrition in American schools, and the reincarnation of the classic Presidential Fitness Test. The mandate also includes controversial aims such as reforming the collegiate athletic transfer portal and addressing fairness in women’s sports. Sportskeeda detailed how the move resulted in a firestorm of fan and media commentary due to Gretzky’s known history of supporting Trump, with social feeds buzzing about the surprising and not-so-surprising names on the council. While many in the hockey world seemed unfazed by Gretzky’s inclusion, the appointment reignited familiar debates over celebrity athletes and political advocacy, and fueled social media with both memes and pointed criticisms.
Off the political stage, Gretzky’s hockey legacy remains ever-present. Alex Ovechkin recently broke Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record during the 2024-25 season, though the full impact of this historic feat, Ovi himself suggested, may not be fully realized until his eventual retirement. The milestone prompted a fresh wave of retrospectives and tributes, with Gretzky’s own role in the sport as “the Great One” undiminished in media coverage.
The name Gretzky even helped kick off this year’s ramp up to the hockey season with the upcoming Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, a crucial international showcase for NHL prospects. This event, named in part for Gretzky, remains a key focus for scouts and fans.
On the business and collectible front, Gretzky memorabilia continues to be white-hot. An Instagram video this week from jlee_sportscardslive hyped the auction of a Gretzky OPC rookie card about to go live on eBay—sparking excitement among sports card enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, in the personal and development arena, Gretzky’s Hockey School got a shout-out on Instagram, showing Gretzky engaged and giving back to the next generation of players—a reminder that amid business and politics, Gretzky’s hockey heart remains close to the grassroots of the game.
There were no confirmed personal controversies or negative headlines involving Gretzky himself in recent days, though his political alignment predictably drew mixed reactions, and his enduring commercial appeal, whether through sports quotes or sports cards, remained as reliable as a Gretzky assist. No public statements from Gretzky have surfaced about his new White House role, leaving fans and critics to keep speculating on how actively the Great One will wade into American cultural and athletic debates this fall.
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