Alabama head coach Nick Saban walking up to the ceremony honoring the 2012 national championship team with President Barack Obama. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
President Barack Obama being presented with a Alabama jersey by starting quarterback AJ McCarron. Barrett Jones presented President Obama with a helmet and Chance Warmack gave him a signed football later. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
Several Alabama football players sitting in the White House with Alabama head football coach Nick Saban during the Tide’s visit. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, University of Alabama President Judy Bonner and the entire Alabama football team met President of the United States Barack Obama Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
The Alabama Crimson Tide football team made a day trip to Washington D.C., leaving Tuscaloosa around 7:45 am for an appointment with the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
The Tide went to the White House for the traditional ceremony with the sitting President as the national champions from the previous years.
Below we have some of the best quotes from the ceremony, video of the ceremony and tweets from the players and coaches after the ceremony (plus a link to earlier coverage, right here).
“They’re starting to learn their way around the White House. I’m thinking about just having some cots here for them because they’re here so often.” – President Barack Obama
“Back in January, with the entire country watching …. against the No. 1 ranked, undefeated Fighting Irish, they dominated from the first possession. When the clock ran out, the score was 42-14 and they left no doubt who was the best team in the country.” – President Obama
“I hear (AJ McCarron) is coming back for one more year because SEC defenses haven’t suffered enough. He’s going to subject them to a little more pain.” – President Obama
“Since I’m going to be around for four more football season, I expect I might see these guys again.” – President Obama
At this time, all of the people behind the Daily Bama Blog want to take this time to express the deepest condolences for those affected by the tragic events that transpired at the Boston Marathon. We all join the nation in hoping the injured recover fully and quickly. We shall continue thinking about the city of Boston and all those around the world affected by these events while we continue to cover Alabama, which we will do with heavy hearts.
Im watching the news & I thank God for all first responders, y’all are heroes & true assets to every community… I know y’all saved my life
The Alabama football team is visiting President Barack Obama for the second time in as many years after this ceremony last year. (Copyright photo from the White House)
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron liked the White House so much on his last visit after the 2011 national championship, he wanted to come back. And told President Barack Obama he would be back, “next year.”
Now he is. The team departed from Tuscaloosa on Monday morning for a meeting with President Obama before the resumption of spring practice on Tuesday.
Headed to the White House AGAIN with my homie @thekennybell7 ! Obama called & said he is building a bama room there. #blessed#RTR#3times
Alabama head coach Nick Saban expressed appreciation for President Obama’s hospitality during each of his teams’ visits.
“I think it’s special to our players. It’s a great opportunity for our players,” Saban said. “President Obama has always been really hospitable in terms of shaking hands with all the players and saying hello. They really, really do appreciate that and feel like that’s something special.”
Saban also plans on changing things up on this visit, giving the players going to Washington D.C. for the second or third time something new to experience outside of meeting the President.
“Well, what we’ve tried to do on each and every trip is expose the players to something a little bit different,” Saban said. “So after we got to the White House we’re going to go to the Smithsonian this time for an hour or two. We’ve been to several other different places and hopefully they’ll enjoy that part of it. This is something that is really special.”
Read more later, but the Crimson Tide’s trip to the White House was just made official. The BCS National Champions will head to Washington to meet President Obama on Monday, March 8.
