Bush: Hats off to Miles, Tigers
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WASHINGTON — The rain-soaked grounds of the White House couldn’t dampen President Bush’s enthusiastic spirit Monday as he welcomed the LSU national championship football team.
About 300 LSU fans who live in the Washington area filled the rows of chairs on the South Lawn, where dozens of players cascaded down two stairways at the South Portico and flanked the president.
The visit was the second in four years for the Tigers, who also visited the White House after winning the Bowl Championship Series title in 2003. Southern California, which finished No. 1 in the Associated Press poll in ’03, was also invited that year.
“LSU has the honor of being the first school to win two BCS titles,” Bush said. “This year, there is no split.”
Fans, many wearing purple dress shirts and ties, held their cameras and cell phones aloft to snap pictures of the team. LSU giants, such as defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and lineman Herman Johnson, dwarfed the president.
“You stand beside him and tears just come to your eyes,” Dorsey said after the event. “I just didn’t want to say anything goofy.”
Running back Jacob Hester called the visit a fitting way to end four years at the school.
“This is the last thing we’re going to do as a team, coming to the White House and meeting the president,” Hester said. “I had a whole speech prepared to tell the president but when he shook my hand, I was like a 2-year-old.”
Bush singled out LSU coach Les Miles, noting that Miles has a 34-6 record over the Past three years. Bush highlighted Miles’ penchant for risk-taking, noting he faked two field goals and a punt and went for first downs on fourth down 15 times.
“This is coach Les Miles’ first time celebrating here at the White House,” Bush said. “And a lot of folks are going to remember it because it’s the first time he’s being seen in public without a hat on.”
Bush also noted how Miles had to deflect rumors he would leave LSU to coach his alma mater, Michigan.
“He also had to deal with some delicate situations away from the field, like inaccurate press stories,” Bush said. “Coach, let me just say, I know the feeling.”
Turning serious, Bush commended Miles and his wife, Kathy, for their charitable work, such as volunteering with the Children’s Miracle Network, the Special Olympics and the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. Miles also visited U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, Bush noted.
The most visible fan in the crowd was 7-year-old John Riley Bingel. The Alexandria, Va., child sat on his father’s shoulders and was dressed in an LSU uniform, complete with a helmet and a purple LSU jersey emblazoned with number 00.
The youth summed up the experience in a word: “Great.”
Asked about the event, he said, “I love LSU.”
The 7-year-old became addicted to LSU football through his mother, Kelly, a 1989 graduate.
“My husband went to Holy Cross and they don’t have a football team,” Kelly Bingel said.
Before letting the Tigers go, Bush urged them to make as big an impact off the field as they have on the field.
“I hope you leave here knowing that you’ve got a special responsibility, not only to represent your school on the football field but to help make America a better place,” Bush said.
The president also encouraged the team to relish their championship status.
“I thought quarterback Matt Flynn put it best,” Bush said. “He said ‘You can’t dream it any better than that’ and that’s what a lot of people were saying around your state.”
About 300 LSU fans who live in the Washington area filled the rows of chairs on the South Lawn, where dozens of players cascaded down two stairways at the South Portico and flanked the president.
The visit was the second in four years for the Tigers, who also visited the White House after winning the Bowl Championship Series title in 2003. Southern California, which finished No. 1 in the Associated Press poll in ’03, was also invited that year.
“LSU has the honor of being the first school to win two BCS titles,” Bush said. “This year, there is no split.”
Fans, many wearing purple dress shirts and ties, held their cameras and cell phones aloft to snap pictures of the team. LSU giants, such as defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and lineman Herman Johnson, dwarfed the president.
“You stand beside him and tears just come to your eyes,” Dorsey said after the event. “I just didn’t want to say anything goofy.”
Running back Jacob Hester called the visit a fitting way to end four years at the school.
“This is the last thing we’re going to do as a team, coming to the White House and meeting the president,” Hester said. “I had a whole speech prepared to tell the president but when he shook my hand, I was like a 2-year-old.”
Bush singled out LSU coach Les Miles, noting that Miles has a 34-6 record over the Past three years. Bush highlighted Miles’ penchant for risk-taking, noting he faked two field goals and a punt and went for first downs on fourth down 15 times.
“This is coach Les Miles’ first time celebrating here at the White House,” Bush said. “And a lot of folks are going to remember it because it’s the first time he’s being seen in public without a hat on.”
Bush also noted how Miles had to deflect rumors he would leave LSU to coach his alma mater, Michigan.
“He also had to deal with some delicate situations away from the field, like inaccurate press stories,” Bush said. “Coach, let me just say, I know the feeling.”
Turning serious, Bush commended Miles and his wife, Kathy, for their charitable work, such as volunteering with the Children’s Miracle Network, the Special Olympics and the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. Miles also visited U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, Bush noted.
The most visible fan in the crowd was 7-year-old John Riley Bingel. The Alexandria, Va., child sat on his father’s shoulders and was dressed in an LSU uniform, complete with a helmet and a purple LSU jersey emblazoned with number 00.
The youth summed up the experience in a word: “Great.”
Asked about the event, he said, “I love LSU.”
The 7-year-old became addicted to LSU football through his mother, Kelly, a 1989 graduate.
“My husband went to Holy Cross and they don’t have a football team,” Kelly Bingel said.
Before letting the Tigers go, Bush urged them to make as big an impact off the field as they have on the field.
“I hope you leave here knowing that you’ve got a special responsibility, not only to represent your school on the football field but to help make America a better place,” Bush said.
The president also encouraged the team to relish their championship status.
“I thought quarterback Matt Flynn put it best,” Bush said. “He said ‘You can’t dream it any better than that’ and that’s what a lot of people were saying around your state.”
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