The 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team is being celebrated for the 40th anniversaries of its shocking win over the Soviet Union and subsequent gold-medal victory over Finland. However, members of the team are receiving criticism for attending a political rally held by President Trump on Friday in Las Vegas, at which a number of the former players wore the red “Keep America Great” hats symbolic of his reelection campaign.

In response, a Twitter account claiming to represent the team tweeted Saturday, “To us, this is not about politics or choosing sides. This is about proudly representing the United States of America."

The Miracle on Ice arena still pulses with magic, even for those who see it every day

The account, past tweets from which have been shared by team members such as Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Jack O’Callahan and Rob McClanahan, added, “Whether your beliefs are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. we support that and are proud to represent the USA. It is an honor and privilege!”

That tweet was linked to one posted Friday that showed team members at the rally, most of whom were wearing the red hats. “The name on the front is more important than the name on the back,” the earlier tweet read.

To us, this is not about politics or choosing sides. This is about proudly representing the United States of America. Whether your beliefs are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. we support that and are proud to represent the USA. It is an honor and privilege! 🏒🏅🇺🇸 — 1980 Miracle Hockey Team (@1980MiracleTeam) February 22, 2020

The 1980 team was in Las Vegas for a slate of “Miracle Weekend” events hosted by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, culminating with a ceremony Saturday, exactly 40 years after the monumental upset of the mighty Soviets, before a game against the Florida Panthers.

Trump has been holding rallies in states where the Democratic Party has staged primaries, and Nevada held its caucuses on Saturday. At his Las Vegas event, Trump invited to the stage 14 of the 20 players from the 1980 team, including Eruzione, Craig, O’Callahan and McClanahan.

...Once the 14 team members shook hands with Trump, the president said they had just told him, “Four more years.” Trump then said, “12 more years!” He pointed to where the media was positioned at the rally and told a laughing Eruzione, “Look at the fake news back there.”

Trump wrapped up the “Miracle on Ice” team’s appearance at his rally by thanking the players and saying, “Greatest sports story — could be number one.”