The Kansas City Chiefs returned to the White House on Friday to celebrate their second straight Super Bowl victory, with a new gift for President Joe Biden in tow.
A year after gifting Biden with a No. 46 Biden jersey, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and head coach Andy Reid presented him with a Chiefs helmet, which the president quickly tried to put on. It took him a few tries after his sunglasses got in the way.
The #Chiefs presented Joe Biden with his own helmet, which the players wanted him to try on.
Biden initially tried to put it on while wearing his sunglasses, but then took it off and successfully got the helmet on his head.pic.twitter.com/DQ8WNAYdwn
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 31, 2024
The Chiefs celebrated their third Super Bowl title in five years, having previously won them all in the 2019-20 season and last year. However, this was only their second time visiting the White House as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from visiting President Donald Trump in 2020.
During last year’s visit, the highlight was star Travis Kelce taking the stage, with Patrick Mahomes interjecting to prevent him from saying more than a few words. With Kelce’s profile having since risen even further via his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, Biden opted to preemptively invite Kelce to the stage.
“My fellow Americans, it is nice to see you all again,” Kelce said. “I’m not going to lie, President Biden. They told me if I came here I would get a bag, so I’m going back to my place.
Most of Biden’s speech was devoted to the Chiefs’ perseverance in the face of adversity, with the team shaking off a slump in the second half of the regular season and a double-digit deficit in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers . He jokingly credited the contingent of fellow Delaware alumni — general manager Brett Veach, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and passing game coordinator Joe Bleymaier — as the secret to its success.
He compared the Chiefs’ efforts to repeat their victory to his own re-election efforts.
“At last year’s Super Bowl celebration, I said this team was building a dynasty, which means everyone is coming to you,” Biden said. “After you started off this season red-hot, you all had your share of struggles. And when the doubters wondered if you could pull it off again, believe me, I know how that feels.”
Biden also praised Kansas City’s handling of the deadly shooting during their championship parade, with several members of the team reportedly helping to provide comfort to the shocked attendees. He took the opportunity to call on the country to “do more to stop the tragic shootings before they happen.”
Although not mentioned in the proceedings, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was present three weeks after he called Biden “delusional” and questioned the president’s Catholic faith in a highly divisive speech.
There was also safety Justin Reid, who humorously praised a recent rule change that could mean him taking kickoffs from Butker.
