When it comes to watching NFL football these days, fans are feeling the squeeze—and not just from a blitzing linebacker. The Department of Justice recently launched an investigation into the NFL's media distribution practices, questioning whether the league has been moving games behind streaming paywalls in ways that might violate antitrust laws. It's a critical issue for America's most popular sport, especially for fans who can't afford the growing costs of access.

Enter President Donald Trump, who weighed in during an interview on Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson. Instead of offering a clear take on the DOJ probe, Trump went on a familiar tangent—this time about the NFL's new kickoff rule—and made a jaw-dropping claim that fans are paying "$1,000 a game" to watch football on streaming platforms.

"They have that stupid kickoff thing that you can't watch," Trump said. "It's unwatchable. I hate the games where they have the new phony kickoff. I don't think it's any safer. I hope college football doesn't do that."

Eventually, he circled back to the original question. "There's something very sad when they take football away from many, many people," he continued. "Very sad. I don't like it… They're making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less. They could let the people see. You have people that live for Sunday. They live. They can't think about anything else, and then all of a sudden they're gonna have to pay $1,000 a game. It's crazy, so I'm not happy about it."

Here's the reality check: Senator Mike Lee has cited research showing that fans spent close to $1,000 on cable and streaming subscriptions to watch every game last season—that's the full 272-game regular season slate plus playoffs, not a single contest. It seems Trump heard "a thousand dollars" and ran with it, missing the nuance entirely.

Whether you're a casual viewer or a die-hard Sunday warrior, the cost of following your team is rising. The DOJ investigation is a serious look at whether the NFL is pricing out everyday fans, and it's a conversation that matters—even if the commentary around it sometimes goes offsides.