Wyatt Hendrickson’s Patriotic Title Win Is A Sign America’s Broken Culture Is Healing
If you were looking for a feel-good story to overdose on American patriotism, then Wyatt Hendrickson has got you covered.
On Saturday, the Oklahoma State wrestler pulled off a stunning upset to win the national title at this year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships. According to ESPN, Hendrickson, who is also a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, is the first wrestler from the school “to win an NCAA title at heavyweight” since 2005.
To call Hendrickson’s win remarkable is an understatement.
His opponent, Minnesota’s Gable Steveson, is an Olympic gold medalist who boasted two national titles and a “70-match win streak” heading into the championship bout. Steveson also led for most of Saturday’s match — that is until Hendrickson managed a last-minute takedown to seal his victory.
After being declared the winner, Hendrickson got up and saluted attending President Donald Trump, who cheered on the Oklahoma State senior from the sidelines. Draped in an American flag, Hendrickson then made his way over to the president, who shook his hand and gave him a congratulatory hug.
The event took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — home to the birthplace of American independence.
And if that wasn’t enough to send your serotonin levels into the stratosphere, Hendrickson also credited Jesus Christ for giving him the strength to win the national title. In a post-game interview, he specifically referenced a sermon he heard earlier that week about the face-off between David and Goliath and overcoming impossible odds.
“I think it’s going to be a couple more days before the emotions settle down. But first, I just want to thank my family. I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for blessing me,” Hendrickson reportedly said. “In that last shot, I was in on that leg and there was a little extra push behind me to get that takedown. I don’t think that was by chance.”
Hendrickson’s victory embodies the classic underdog story that Americans love. While clearly a hard-working individual committed to his sport and school, his devotion to military service and admiration for the country he calls home makes it easy to root for him.
But more than anything, Henrickson’s patriotic post-match display is symbolic of the pro-America sentiment permeating the greater cultural zeitgeist since Trump’s return to office.
For the first time in a long time, Americans are unapologetically declaring their love for country without fear of being shamed by anti-America leftists, who have spent years attempting to use their nation’s worst historical moments to erase its exceptionalism. In an almost indescribable way, it’s become “cool again” within growing segments of the culture to celebrate America.
Americans coming together to rally behind Hendrickson’s upset victory is more than just a product of our country’s entertainment apparatus. It’s a sign that our culture may finally be starting to heal.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
Jesus Christ is King
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