‘The Tide is back’
Obama congratulated the team for its undefeated season, which concluded with a win over Texas in the BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl
Obama invoked Alabama coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant as he recognized the program for its first national title in 17 years. He said the team’s newfound success largely because of the efforts of Coach Nick Saban, who quickly turned the program around after arriving in Tuscaloosa and won a championship in his third season.
“It’s safe to say the Tide is back,” Obama said, to the occasional “Roll Tide” chant from his audience.
The president received a football, helmet and jersey with his name on the back from Alabama players after his speech and went on to shake the hands of most of the team, including Saban and Heisman Trophy winner mark Ingram.
About 120 players attended the White House ceremony.
“As Coach Bryant once said, ‘The most important thing of all for any team is a winning attitude,’ ” Obama said. “I think this team would make him proud, because they’ve got that winning attitude.”
Among those in attendance was Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, who has repeatedly clashed with Obama on economic and banking issues by virtue of his position as the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee. the president also called out Shelby for holding up appointees.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs didn’t leave his office early Monday afternoon.
As an Auburn native and vocal Tiger fan, Gibbs likely wouldn’t have enjoyed the ceremony his boss was presiding over at the time. and the president didn’t miss the opportunity to poke a little fun.
“He’s hiding in his office right now,” Obama said to laughter.
Obama then got down to the laundry list of congratulatory remarks. In addition to Saban, linebacker Rolando McClain got an extra shout out while the president repeated one of the player’s friendly swipe at Saban’s height.
“I especially want to congratulate Rolando for winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker,” Obama said in a five-minute address. “And I know that part of Rolando’s talent comes from his intelligence and his judgment.”
In fact, the president said one of McClain’s teammates was asked to describe him, “He said just picture Coach Saban being huge and being able to play football,” Obama said.
McClain, however, did not make the trip to Washington as he prepares for the next part of the busy week for the Alabama football program. He’ll be one of a handful of former players participating in the Wednesday Pro Day in Tuscaloosa, where scouts and NFL executives will evaluate draft potential.
Wednesday’s workout will be especially important for McClain, of Decatur, since he didn’t go through the running, jumping and agility portions of the NFL Scouting Combine last week.
For Monday, at least, the focus was on the successes of last fall.
Senior Javier Arenas even told Obama he’s “got to put this on” when handing over the helmet, but the president deferred as so not to “mess up my (hair) do.”
While in the nation’s capital, players, coaches and staff members toured the National Mall, monuments and the Pentagon. They also participated in a service project with Washington, D.C., area students Monday morning.
The Tide’s previous service and classroom achievements were not lost on Obama.
“That’s the kind of tone this team sets, both on and off the field,” he said in an address heard on whitehouse.gov. “It’s why these young men – and this is something I’m very proud of – had the second highest graduation rate of any team ranked in the top 25. it shows that these guys have their priorities straight.
“Together, they contributed more than 3,500 hours of community service that Alabama student-athletes performed last year,” Obama said.
Before leaving, he dropped one final line of congratulations for the college team.
“I know spring practice starts on Friday – woo, man,” Obama said. “Next Friday, huh? So enjoy these last few days off. and congratulations to all of you for just an extraordinary season.”
Michael Casagrande contributed to this report for the TimesDaily.