Trump offers condolences to family of Phyllis George

President Trump offered his condolences to the family of former Miss America and “NFL Today” broadcaster Phyllis George on Sunday after she died last week.

Trump called George, who was 70 years old, a “great person,” a “true pioneer for women in television” and a “wonderful First Lady of Kentucky.”

“The NFL could not have made a better ‘pick’ when they choose Phyllis to be the first woman to represent them,” Trump said. 

“May Phyllis Rest In Peace. Warmest condolences to her beloved family!!!” he added.

Phyllis George was a great person and a true pioneer for women in television. The NFL could not have made a better “pick” when they choose Phyllis to be the first woman to represent them. Also, a wonderful First Lady of Kentucky as the wife of Gov. John Y. Brown….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 17, 2020

A family spokesperson said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press that George died Thursday at a Lexington, Kentucky hospital. 

Lincoln Tyler George Brown and CNN White House correspondent Pamela Ashley Brown said in a statement obtained by the AP that their mother, “was known by her incredible accomplishments as the pioneering female sportscaster, 50th Miss America and first lady. But this was all before we were born and never how we viewed Mom.”

“To us, she was the most incredible mother we could ever ask for, and it is all of the defining qualities the public never saw, especially against the winds of adversity, that symbolize how extraordinary she is more than anything else,” the statement continued.   

George won Miss America in 1971 is known for joining “The NFL Today” in 1975, as one of the first female sportscasters. 

She had been married to former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr for nearly two decades until 1998.