Patriots White House, The Patriots have spent more time in the White House than many politicians.
The Super Bowl champions took their quartet of Lombardi Trophies to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. yesterday for the fourth time in 14 years. Though owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick have grown accustomed to partying in the president’s backyard, it was the initial trip for nearly everyone else who contributed to the title, and President Obama also played host to the Pats for the first time.
Obama delivered an eight-minute congratulatory speech on the South Lawn by recognizing the first team ever to overcome a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win the Super Bowl, applauding Tom Brady’s precision, Julian Edelman’s toughness, Darrelle Revis’ coverage skills and Malcolm Butler’s timeliness, and lauding the organization’s intense community endeavors.
“The Patriots organization is as good of an organization as there’s ever been in professional sports,” Obama said. “To maintain that kind of consistent excellence is a rare thing for any team, including on the football field, and that’s a testament to outstanding ownership. It’s a testament to a Hall of Fame coach.”
Obama couldn’t let the moment pass without piling on with a series of Deflategate jokes that drew a playful thumbs-down from Belichick. The president even made a couple of wardrobe quips by lauding the head coach for not cutting off his suit’s sleeves and Rob Gronkowski for staying clothed.
“He’s a pretty engaging guy,” Belichick said afterward with a smirk.
Brady, citing a family obligation, and Jonathan Kraft, who is recovering from surgery, couldn’t make the trip, but former Patriots Revis, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen, and unsigned free agents Dan Connolly and Danny Aiken were in attendance.
Obama privately met with the team for a few minutes in the State Room before the ceremony, as he shook hands with everybody who made the trip and chatted up Gronkowski and Butler. The Patriots, who spent about two hours taking photos and touring the White House function rooms before the ceremony, were then introduced on the South Lawn before a seated crowd of Pats executive staffers and White House staff members.
U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren were the most recognizable faces in the audience.
“It doesn’t get old,” Kraft said.
“It’s pretty fresh and special. There’s no feeling like it. We’re in the heart of the free world and the greatest country in the world. It’s pretty cool.”
After the ceremony, Obama waltzed alone to the West Wing while the Patriots took their parting shots with one another. Kraft, Belichick, Gronkowski, Edelman and Chandler Jones all fielded a few questions from the media.
“It was pretty cool,” Edelman said. “Anytime the president of the United States says your name and acknowledges you, it’s pretty insane, actually.”
Said Kraft: “We thank (Obama) for inviting us here today. We hope we have a chance to come back here next year.”
Obama delivered an eight-minute congratulatory speech on the South Lawn by recognizing the first team ever to overcome a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win the Super Bowl, applauding Tom Brady’s precision, Julian Edelman’s toughness, Darrelle Revis’ coverage skills and Malcolm Butler’s timeliness, and lauding the organization’s intense community endeavors.
“The Patriots organization is as good of an organization as there’s ever been in professional sports,” Obama said. “To maintain that kind of consistent excellence is a rare thing for any team, including on the football field, and that’s a testament to outstanding ownership. It’s a testament to a Hall of Fame coach.”
Obama couldn’t let the moment pass without piling on with a series of Deflategate jokes that drew a playful thumbs-down from Belichick. The president even made a couple of wardrobe quips by lauding the head coach for not cutting off his suit’s sleeves and Rob Gronkowski for staying clothed.
“He’s a pretty engaging guy,” Belichick said afterward with a smirk.
Brady, citing a family obligation, and Jonathan Kraft, who is recovering from surgery, couldn’t make the trip, but former Patriots Revis, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen, and unsigned free agents Dan Connolly and Danny Aiken were in attendance.
Obama privately met with the team for a few minutes in the State Room before the ceremony, as he shook hands with everybody who made the trip and chatted up Gronkowski and Butler. The Patriots, who spent about two hours taking photos and touring the White House function rooms before the ceremony, were then introduced on the South Lawn before a seated crowd of Pats executive staffers and White House staff members.
U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren were the most recognizable faces in the audience.
“It doesn’t get old,” Kraft said.
“It’s pretty fresh and special. There’s no feeling like it. We’re in the heart of the free world and the greatest country in the world. It’s pretty cool.”
After the ceremony, Obama waltzed alone to the West Wing while the Patriots took their parting shots with one another. Kraft, Belichick, Gronkowski, Edelman and Chandler Jones all fielded a few questions from the media.
“It was pretty cool,” Edelman said. “Anytime the president of the United States says your name and acknowledges you, it’s pretty insane, actually.”
Said Kraft: “We thank (Obama) for inviting us here today. We hope we have a chance to come back here next year.”
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