WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden honored the Kansas City Chiefs on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday as Super Bowl LVIII champions, joking that he too would like to win “back-to-back.”
“The Kansas City Chiefs, the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back. Winning back-to-back, I kind of like that,” Biden said, alluding to his rematch with former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
“After starting this season red hot, you all had your share of struggles,” he said. “When the doubters questioned whether you can pull it off again, believe me, I know what that feels like.”
The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on February 11 to clinch their third Lombardi Trophy in five years — fourth total — cementing the team’s status as one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.
Star tight end Travis Kelce finally got an opportunity to say a few words at the presidential lectern. A year prior, he snuck over to the microphone and said, “So, I’ve been waiting for this moment,” before being intercepted by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I’m not gonna lie, President Biden, they told me if I came up here, I’d get tased,” Kelce quipped at Friday’s event. “So I’m gonna go back to my spot.”
All eyes were on Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker — who accompanied his teammates to the White House — following his controversial commencement address at Benedictine College. The 28-year-old used the speech to lambast Biden on a number of issues, including the president’s leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion.
Biden did not mention Butker during his remarks.
The ceremony concluded with head coach Andy Reid and CEO Clark Hunt gifting Biden with a Chiefs football helmet, which he briefly donned with some encouragement from the athletes.
“Listen, I don’t know how many presidents have tried on your team helmet,” Reid told reporters after the festivities. “This might be a first.”
The Chiefs will kick off the 2024 regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium.