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| President Barack Obama with Pittsburgh Steeler’s Wide Receiver Hines Ward |
Paint the White House Black … and Gold: President Barack Obama Welcomes Mike Tomlin and the Super Bowl-Winning Pittsburgh Steelers to the Capitol
President Barack Obama and Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin both know a thing or two about making history. Two months after President Obama’s historical trek to the White House, Mike Tomlin entered the NFL history books by becoming the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl and just the second black American coach to claim the honor. President Obama recently paid tribute to Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers by inviting them to the White House for a special celebration.
“Congratulations to the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers for the NFL-record sixth Lombardi Trophy,” President Obama said. “Some are calling it ‘Sixburgh’ [laughing] these days. Congratulations to all the fans of the Steeler Nation who wave the Terrible Towel every Sunday.”
President Obama also commended coach Tomlin for achieving such an extraordinary feat. “This is a new team for a new era,” President Obama continued. “And that’s embodied by coach Tomlin, who’s here with his lovely wife. He didn’t just win the Super Bowl; he also happened to be NFL Coach of the Year — the youngest coach ever to win a Super Bowl.”
After President Obama’s remarks, the Steelers joined the president and wounded servicemen to prepare thousands of care packages for troops overseas. “I often say that the beauty of serving others is that anyone can do it,” President Obama said. “You don’t have to be president, and you don’t have to be a pro football player.
We’re going to give back to those who’ve given so much for us. And I find that fitting and proper — [it’s] a good way to kick off a weekend that serves to honor all the men and women who have worn the proud uniform of this country that we love.” –amir shaw
