WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama honored the Denver Broncos with a White House ceremony Monday, mixing praise with a little trash talk for the team that beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to win Super Bowl 50.
“Last season, the Broncos won an NFL-record 11 games by a touchdown or less. And you don’t do that without one of the greatest defenses of all time,” said Obama, who later tweaked future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning as “this guy from the commercials.”
“It doesn’t matter whether you need insurance, pizza, a Buick — you basically can stock your whole household with stuff this guy is selling,” said Obama, drawing laughs from the small crowd.
The afternoon ceremony in the Rose Garden was part of a whirlwind day for the Broncos, many of whom flew from Colorado in the morning only to return home Monday night after meeting the president and taking a tour of the White House.
Win McNamee, Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 06: U.S. President Barack Obama holds up a Denver Broncos jersey presented to him as a gift by Annabel Bowlen (R), wife of Broncos majority owner Pat Bowlen, while welcoming the National Football League Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos to the White House Rose Garden on June 6, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
President Barack Obama poses during a group photo with members of the Denver Broncos team football jersey, as he welcomes the Super Bowl Champions during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016, to honor the team and their Super Bowl 50 victory. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
President Barack Obama welcomes the Super Bowl Champions during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016, to honor the team and their Super Bowl 50 victory. Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is at center, John Elway Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager is at left. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Susan Walsh, Associated Press
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning as he welcomes the Super Bowl Champions during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016, to honor the team and their Super Bowl 50 victory.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Yuri Gripasyuri, AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama is presented a helmet from quarterback Peyton Manning(L) as he honors the 50th Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on June 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / YURI GRIPASYURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images
Susan Walsh, Associated Press
President Barack Obama, center, standing next to Annabel Bowlen, wife of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, holds up a Denver Broncos team football jersey, as he welcomes the Super Bowl Champions during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016, to honor the team and their Super Bowl 50 victory.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Win McNamee, Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 06: U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak (L) while welcoming the National Football League Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos to the White House Rose Garden on June 6, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Win McNamee, Getty Images
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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 06: U.S. President Barack Obama holds up a Denver Broncos jersey presented to him as a gift by Annabel Bowlen (R), wife of Broncos majority owner Pat Bowlen, while welcoming the National Football League Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos to the White House Rose Garden on June 6, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
As thanks, the team presented the 44th president with a Broncos jersey adorned with the number 44, as well as a helmet autographed by the team. “I need a helmet,” Obama said. “You get knocked around here in Washington quite a bit.”
On hand for the celebration were several members of Colorado’s congressional delegation. U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner were there, as well as U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, Doug Lamborn and Jared Polis.
“Incredible ceremony. An incredible team,” Gardner said. “Everybody in Colorado and across the country are proud of what the Broncos have accomplished.”
Super Bowl MVP Von Miller described the whole White House scene as “surreal” — although he made a point of recalling that Obama said he liked his shoes: a pair of cosmic kicks that somehow blended the colors of red, blue and green.
“It was a special day for me,” Miller said in a brief press appearance after the ceremony. “It was great to have all our teammates here.”
Most of the Super Bowl team showed up — although not everyone.
Cornerback Aqib Talib took a during the weekend and remains in recovery. “The most important thing is that he’s OK,” said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak when asked about the incident.
Also missing was former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler — now with the Houston Texans. He said he event because he had to practice with his new team.
“The Broncos graciously extended an invitation for me to join them at the White House on Monday, but due to a scheduled OTA in Houston, I feel it is important to be at practice with my new teammates,” Osweiler told the Houston Chronicle.
