Mr2Bits
Gator Fan
The University of Florida football team traveled to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to meet with President Barack Obama on the North Portico of the White House. The Gators were invited to the nation’s Capitol to take part in a ceremony to honor the 2008 National Championship squad.
“It’s a lot of fun coming here,” said junior cornerback Joe Haden (Ft. Washington, Md.). “In 2006 I was here, but it’s a lot more meaningful this time because I played more this year.”
The festivities included a photo opportunity on the North Portico with President Obama and a special tour of the White House. President Obama addressed the Florida traveling party that included members of the 2008 team, coaches, UAA staff, some members of the Board of Trustees and UF president Dr. J. Bernard Machen.
“It was an honor to meet the President,” said senior quarterback Tim Tebow (Jacksonville , Fla.). “He made some really nice remarks about the team and myself and it was great to shake his hand, look him in the eye, and tell him that we’re behind him and praying for him.”
“Seeing the President walk into the room was really exciting,” said junior safety Ahmad Black (Lakeland, Fla.). “You get to see him on TV all the time, so it was great to see him up close and shake his hand.”
The 2008 Gator football team was UF's eighth national championship team to visit The White House, joining the 1996 and 2006 football teams, the 1998 soccer team, the 1998 and 2003 women's tennis teams as well as the 2006 and 2007 men's basketball teams. The 1922 Gator football team also visited The White House.
“It was a tremendous honor to come to the White House today,” said senior wide receiver David Nelson (Wichita Falls, Texas). “It’s the best perk we get for winning the National Championship. Some guys like the rings and the glory, but I look forward to coming to the White House, the prestige of the White House.”
In addition to their visit to the White House, the team also attended a Congressional Reception at the Library of Congress.
“This is my first time in Washington D.C., so I was just blown away,” said sophomore center Sam Robey (Louisville, Ky.). “Everything is so incredible and it’s all so much bigger than I expected.”
“It’s a lot of fun coming here,” said junior cornerback Joe Haden (Ft. Washington, Md.). “In 2006 I was here, but it’s a lot more meaningful this time because I played more this year.”
The festivities included a photo opportunity on the North Portico with President Obama and a special tour of the White House. President Obama addressed the Florida traveling party that included members of the 2008 team, coaches, UAA staff, some members of the Board of Trustees and UF president Dr. J. Bernard Machen.
“It was an honor to meet the President,” said senior quarterback Tim Tebow (Jacksonville , Fla.). “He made some really nice remarks about the team and myself and it was great to shake his hand, look him in the eye, and tell him that we’re behind him and praying for him.”
“Seeing the President walk into the room was really exciting,” said junior safety Ahmad Black (Lakeland, Fla.). “You get to see him on TV all the time, so it was great to see him up close and shake his hand.”
The 2008 Gator football team was UF's eighth national championship team to visit The White House, joining the 1996 and 2006 football teams, the 1998 soccer team, the 1998 and 2003 women's tennis teams as well as the 2006 and 2007 men's basketball teams. The 1922 Gator football team also visited The White House.
“It was a tremendous honor to come to the White House today,” said senior wide receiver David Nelson (Wichita Falls, Texas). “It’s the best perk we get for winning the National Championship. Some guys like the rings and the glory, but I look forward to coming to the White House, the prestige of the White House.”
In addition to their visit to the White House, the team also attended a Congressional Reception at the Library of Congress.
“This is my first time in Washington D.C., so I was just blown away,” said sophomore center Sam Robey (Louisville, Ky.). “Everything is so incredible and it’s all so much bigger than I expected.”
