Tampa Bay Buccaneers Visit President Biden at the White House



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“Just the honor, the honor of standing next to the president, just being invited,” Arians said. “We know what’s going on with the country right now, so he’s got a lot of [things] make. For him, bringing us was very, very emotional for me. “

Even with these emotions and the many words about perseverance, the ceremony still had a festive air, which meant there were plenty of lighter moments. Brady got the crowd laughing with well-delivered jokes about denials of election results, presidential nicknames, Lombardi trophy throwing and a supposed football game with White House interns. Arians shaped the Bucs’ One Team, One Cause motto into a call for a more bipartisan deal in the House and Senate. And Biden clearly enjoyed spending time with the oldest head coach and oldest quarterback to win that Lombardi Trophy.

“There is a lot of talk about the fact that we have the oldest coach to win the Super Bowl and the oldest quarterback to win the Super Bowl,” said Biden, who happens to be the oldest person ever to be elected President of the States. -United. “Well, I’ll tell you right now, you won’t hear any jokes about it from me. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing wrong with being the oldest guy to reach the Mountain top.”

Biden also took a moment to distinguish wide receiver Chris Godwin from the lineup behind him thanks to Delaware’s shared connection as the home state.

“Honestly, it was really, really cool,” Godwin said. “Just being here with the guys and celebrating this happy occasion is truly an honor, and for him specifically mentioning me was definitely an honor. I wasn’t expecting it, so it got me. definitely taken by surprise.. I remember watching things like that when I was younger, watching all the league teams come in here. To be here right now is amazing. “

The Buccaneers arrived at the White House around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and, after going through security, first headed to the South Lawn to repeat the procedure for the subsequent ceremony. The team was then invited to the White House for a tour of the State Floor. This area includes the Grand Foyer, the State Dining Room, the East Room, and the Red, Blue, and Green Rooms and features dozens of historical paintings and artifacts. There were plenty of places for selfies and posed photos, and a sense of history that visiting gamers appreciated.

“To be honest, I am honored to be here,” said Ndamukong Suh. “Just having the opportunity to be invited, first and foremost, isn’t always open to everyone, so being able to accept it and be a part of it was really more than exciting. me, entering my 12th season now, it’s been a long time coming. “

The team spent over an hour exploring the State Floor, and during that time President Biden had private audiences with Arians, Brady, Godwin, CEO Jason Licht and others. Meanwhile, Donovan Smith and Bradley Pinion – both members of the Buccaneers Social Justice Committee – traveled to the West Wing to privately meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and discuss the issue of voting rights. The input from the players was well received by the vice-president.

“It was definitely something she was passionate about for sure,” Smith said. “You can just say it through conversation. And it’s huge. We have to make sure that we don’t try to take away people’s right to vote. You want to make voting as easy as possible for people.

“We just stressed the importance for everyone to use their rights, to be American and to vote. It is a way to have our voice heard. We have just stressed the importance of this and of stay current now, continue with what we have already started. We don’t have to wait until the time is right to promote it and get things done and get things in place. “

The Buccaneers left the capital shortly after the ceremony ended and returned to Tampa in the afternoon. They hope to take a similar trip next year if they can successfully defend their Super Bowl title in 2021. As Bryan Glazer pointed out, that would provide some symmetry with the 46th POTUS, as the coming season will be the 46th for the franchise.

Ahead of that potential trip, however, Biden is expected to welcome another group of champions from the Bucs home. The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of the last two Stanley Cups, are expected to be the White House’s net team.

“To the players, to the coaches, to the Glazer family – my good friends – it is an honor to have you here,” Biden said at the ceremony. “We have to say the West Florida fans are having a pretty good year this year. I’m telling you – the Stanley Cup plus the Super Bowl. They make a pretty strong case to start calling Tampa the city of. Champions. “

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