During President Trump’s first term, his relationship with the N.F.L. was contentious.

He downplayed the severity of concussions in football even as the league took steps to reduce head trauma in the game, and suggested that football was declining because it is not as violent as it once was. Most notably, in 2017, he urged N.F.L. owners to fire players who did not stand for the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.

That led to a leaguewide rebuke of Mr. Trump, with many more players joining in the protests and even some of his supporters within the N.F.L., including team owners, criticizing his comments. After the Philadelphia Eagles won that season’s Super Bowl, Mr. Trump called off the traditional championship celebration at the White House when it became clear that most players would decline to attend.

“They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country,” he said in a statement seven years ago.

Times have changed. On Sunday, Mr. Trump is expected to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl in person. He will be in the Superdome in New Orleans to watch the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs as the invited guest of Gayle Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints.

He wrote about the game on Friday morning on Truth Social, praising several players and coaches (though none by name) while also taking a jab at the league’s new kickoff rules, as he has done before.

“Two great Quarterbacks in this game. Also, an unbelievable running back, and the absolute best tight end in football (Ever!). Incredible coaching! If they would only get rid of that really weird looking new Kickoff ‘deal,’ which actually makes football more dangerous, they would be doing everybody, especially the fans, a big favor. ANYWAY, IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME!!!” Mr. Trump wrote.