By Branson Brooks, Howard University News Service
WASHINGTON (HUNS) — The Kansas City Chiefs traveled to the White House for the second year in a row on Friday to celebrate their 2024 Super Bowl win in February.
With the 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers marking the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl in five seasons, the team has become quite familiar with the nation’s capital in recent years.
President Biden compared the team’s back-to-back championships to a win he will seek in this year’s presidential election.
“Welcome! Back to the White House, Super Bowl 58 Champions Kansas City Chiefs,” Biden exclaimed. “First team in 20 years to win back to back. Winning back to back … I kind of like that.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes felt it was special to become more familiar with the White House each visit.
“It was cool that you kind of knew what to expect,” Mahomes said. “We get here, and I’m showing other guys pictures on the wall. I’m showing paintings. I’m showing some old furniture, just everything. I feel like I was trying to be a tour guide at some points.”
“Then just to be on the stage and get to just look out and see the Washington Monument and all these different things, it’s a cool moment.”
During Biden’s opening remarks, he made a note of the tragedy that occurred during the Kansas City Super Bowl Parade, where one person was killed and at least 22 other people were wounded during a mass shooting. He acknowledged the heroics of four members of the Chiefs, including right guard Trey Smith, long snapper James Winchester, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Coach Andy Reid.
“Eleven kids in the hospital, and amid the chaos, this team stepped up again,” Biden said. “Trey helped pull people to safety. James, who lost his own father to gun violence, reassured kids they’d be okay. One teen remembers Coach Reid giving him a hug, telling them, ‘Just breathe. Just breathe.’
“When one boy was separated from his dad, Clyde helped keep him from harm. The boy’s dad later said, and I quote, ‘You can be an athlete for only so long, but you can be a great human being for the rest of your life, and Clyde is exceptional.’”
Following Biden’s five-minute speech commemorating the Chiefs on an amazing season, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt discussed what the occasion meant to the Chiefs organization and his family. Hunt missed last year’s ceremony after his mother, Norma Hunt, died at the age of 85.
“One year ago, it so happened that the team visited the White House the day after my mother passed away,” Hunt said. “Of course, anytime we are celebrating a Chiefs’ victory, I always think about my mom and dad. I want to take a moment to say thank you, President Biden, for the very kind words you shared about my mother last year.”
“The amazing thing about sports is how they can bring a community together,” Hunt added. “Over the past few years, the men behind me have elevated the status of Kansas City and united football fans across the country and throughout the world. A lot can divide us today, but for so many of us, sports provide a unifying joy that we all need.”
The Chiefs then produced some comical moments to close out the ceremony, as they did last year.
First, tight end Travis Kelce came to the podium.
“My fellow Americans … it’s nice to see you all yet again,” Kelce began, drawing laughter from everyone including Biden. “I’m not going to lie, President Biden. They told me if I came up here, I’d get tased, so I’m gonna go back to my spot. All right?”
The 10-minute ceremony ended with Hunt and Reid presenting Biden a custom Chiefs helmet that featured three autographs in black marker from Hunt, general manager Brett Veach and team president Mark Donovan.
After encouragement from Kelce and his teammates, Biden put on the helmet to the delight of the Chiefs and crowd, who responded with loud cheers.
Branson Brooks is a freelance sports reporter and graduate of Howard University.
