By The White House

South Lawn

12:11 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! Welcome to the White House. (Applause.) And welcome to the Super Bowl Champion — world champion — Baltimore Ravens. (Applause.) Everybody can have a seat. That’s why we set up chairs. (Laughter.)

Now, I suspect that these guys are wondering, what kind of introduction is that? No smoke machine. (Laughter.) No fire cannons. Obama didn’t even tear up chunks of turf and rub them on his suit. (Laughter.) That reminds me, by the way — please don’t do that on the South Lawn. (Laughter.)

I want to congratulate Coach John Harbaugh, an outstanding coach; and general manager, Ozzie Newsome, outstanding general manager. (Applause.) I know there’s some very proud Ravens fans in the house today, including — you got the entire delegation from Maryland here, and they’re a little puffed up.

I notice, though, I’m the only one wearing purple. (Laughter.) Some of you guys didn’t get the memo.

Now, I imagine there were times last year when these players were the only ones who knew that they’d make it here to show off this trophy. Because, during the year, they lost player after player to injury; they dropped four of their last five regular season games. In the playoffs, they trailed Denver by a touchdown with 70 yards and less than a minute to go. And I still don’t know how — well — (laughter). And then, in the Super Bowl, just when it looked like they had the momentum, the lights went out for a half hour. (Laughter.)

But these Ravens always pulled through. In that playoff game against the Broncos, Jacoby Jones — (applause) — those are all fans of “Dancing with the Stars” — (laughter) — he slipped behind the defense to catch a Joe Flacco Hail Mary to force overtime. I’m trying to figure out whether he was doing the Two-Step or the Fox Trot. But somehow he got open and Joe got him the ball.

And then in the Super Bowl, after the lights came back on and the 49ers came storming back, this team’s defense — the pride and joy of Baltimore — stopped a fierce offense four straight times inside the 10-yard line. One of the most dramatic goal-line stands in Super Bowl history. (Applause.)

Joe was named the game’s MVP. Where’s Joe? There he is. (Applause.) Good timing with that contract up. (Laughter.) That was some good timing. (Laughter.) Capped off one of the greatest post-seasons ever by a quarterback — more than 11,000 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions. I don't know about you, Joe, but I would say that qualifies as a leap. (Laughter.) And I’d say that if you keep on playing like that, you’re going to challenge Biden for the most popular person …read more

Source: White House Press Office