Team USA’s thrilling overtime win over Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey gold medal game on Sunday had Americans across the country on their feet — and FBI Director Kash Patel was no exception.
A 46-second clip posted to X by ProPublica reporter William Turton, who said it was sent to him by a source, shows Patel fully embracing the moment in the locker room after the victory. The FBI director is seen taking a hearty sip from a beer bottle, splashing some of it in celebration, pounding his chest and a nearby table, and jumping alongside players as a gold medal is draped around his neck.
Patel responded to the viral clip, confirming it was, in fact, him, and he had no regrets in celebrating the historic victory.
As the team belted out Toby Keith’s 2002 anthem “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” Patel lifted his beer and joined in, celebrating like any red-blooded American hockey fan would after a historic win.
And historic it was.
Team USA secured its first men’s Olympic hockey gold medal since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980. The game was a nail-biter from start to finish. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck delivered a masterclass performance, stopping 41 shots and keeping the game locked at 1-1 to force overtime.
One save in particular had fans shaking their heads in disbelief. In the second period, Hellebuyck somehow turned away a wide-open shot from Canada’s Devon Toews using only his stick, spinning quickly to block the puck and preserve the tie. Without that moment — and dozens more like it — the outcome could have been very different.
Jack Hughes ultimately sealed the deal in overtime, scoring the game-winning goal past Canada’s Jordan Binnington. Hughes reportedly lost two teeth during the battle but etched his name into Team USA history with the golden goal.
The performance earned Hellebuyck a new nickname on social media: “Secretary of Defense.” United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quickly endorsed the title. After watching the Americans defeat Canada, Hegseth — who previously held the “Secretary of Defense” title before the department reverted to its historic “Department of War” name last September — weighed in enthusiastically.
“Now we have a Secretary of War… and a Secretary of Defense!” Hegseth wrote over a post highlighting Hellebuyck’s incredible saves.
The celebration didn’t stop at the rink.
President Donald Trump has invited the gold medal-winning team to attend his State of the Union address this week, a fitting tribute to a team that delivered a moment of unity and pride on the world stage.
In the end, it wasn’t about politics. It was about country, competition, and a comeback win over a longtime rival. And as Toby Keith’s lyrics echoed through the locker room, one thing was clear: Team USA — and plenty of Americans watching — felt proud to be flying the red, white, and blue.
