Former NRL star Aaron Woods got an unexpected taste of American security culture when he found himself on the wrong side of Donald Trump’s Secret Service at the Daytona 500, as reported by The Daily Mail.

What should have been a routine promotional appearance for rugby league turned into a tense moment over something as innocent as a football.

Retired NRL enforcer Aaron Woods has been travelling America to promote the Las Vegas rugby league extravaganza...

But a run in with US President Donald Trump’s Secret Service guards sparked a bizarre interaction 👇https://t.co/8K7StjO3a0 — Fox League (@FOXNRL) February 18, 2025

Woods, currently in the U.S. promoting the upcoming NRL doubleheader in Las Vegas, shared his bizarre experience on Triple M’s Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy, where he detailed his surprising clash with the elite security team guarding the 45th president.

The footy veteran explained that as he and his crew navigated the event, things took a turn when they encountered the Secret Service’s intense security measures.

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“It got to about 2:30 p.m., Trump had arrived, and we had to do this grid walk. They’ve got eight million people watching in America—this was our big moment.”

But before they could fully soak in the atmosphere, they were forced to exit and re-enter the venue, facing a round of security checks. That’s when their prized possession—a signed rugby ball with Trump’s name on it—became a major issue.

Woods explained how the Secret Service took issue with the inflated ball, considering it a potential security threat.

“We weren’t allowed to take it through because it was already blown up. We asked if we could deflate the ball, and they said no,” Woods said. “I was like, ‘C’mon man, what could it be?’”

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That’s when things got really absurd.

“They said, ‘It could be a bomb that you want to throw at President Trump.’”

“I was like, ‘C’mon bro’… We gave them a little bit of cheek, and so the Secret Service decided to pat me down.”

It’s safe to say the Aussie athlete got a crash course in just how seriously Trump’s security detail takes its job.

Meanwhile, as Woods faced off with security, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys had a different kind of interaction with Trump—extending a public invitation for the president to attend the NRL’s Vegas showdown.

Appearing on Fox & Friends, V’landys made his pitch while holding a Steeden rugby ball.

“Good morning, Mr. President,” he began. “I know you watch Fox & Friends, which is a great program that is extremely fair and balanced.”

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V’landys went on to highlight rugby league’s brutal, no-padding nature, making a compelling case for why Trump—who has long been a fan of tough, physical sports—should make an appearance at the historic event.

“Our players don’t wear pads or helmets,” he said. “As you know, Mr. President, the U.S. has a trade surplus with Australia, one of the rare countries. You attending will balance this out a bit.”

The invitation concluded with a direct appeal:

“Hope to see you at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 1. Thank you, Mr. President, thank you, Fox & Friends.”

Whether Trump takes V’landys up on the offer remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure—NRL’s push into America is already making waves, both on and off the field.

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