President Joe Biden said the Kansas City Chiefs are “building a dynasty” as he hosted the team at the White House Monday to mark their Super Bowl victory in February.
Speaking on the South Lawn, Biden praised the team for playing with “the real joy of the game and love for each other and the great city you represent.” He also praised the team for their charitable work off the field, saying, “as these guys know about football, they know about life and how to use their platform to make a difference. “
Biden joked that first lady Jill Biden, a “rabid” Philadelphia fan, is still not over the dramatic end to the game, which included a controversial holding penalty against the Eagles that set the Chiefs up for their game-winning field goal. The president added, “I have to be careful what I say today,” even thoughhis wife was out of the country.
Biden led the crowd in a moment of silence to mark the death Sunday of Norma Hunt, wife of the late team founder Lamar Hunt, saying he was sending “our condolences to the entire Hunt family.”
Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce played on opposing teams during the latest Super Bowl, the first brothers to ever face off in the NFL championship.
Despite his Philly ties, Biden congratulated the team on building a successful “dynasty,” in the face of those who discounted the team at the beginning of the season.
“Somehow, last summer, people counted you guys out. But you kept the faith,” Biden said.
He singled out Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, calling him one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation — and possibly any generation. And he praised Travis Kelce as “one of the greatest tight ends ever.”
“You’ve shown the power of one of the most elusive things in the world: unity,” Biden said.
“That’s the power of this team. The power of sports. And, I might add, it’s the power of our country,” he later added.
The Chiefs’ visit on Monday marked the first time an NFL team has visited the White House since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. The Los Angeles Rams did not visit in 2022.
