Athletes Visiting The White House

SI Staff | Jan 14, 2014

Athletes Visiting The White House

Miami Heat

Carolyn Kaster/AP

President Barack Obama welcomed the Miami Heat to the White House to honor their 2013 NBA championship on Tuesday Jan. 14, 2014. The presidential visit marked the second in a row for Miami, who met with Obama to celebrate their 2012 title last year. Obama delivered a speech that lasted for more than seven minutes and included a number of one-liners at the expense of various Heat players. As always, the former Illinois Senator got in a few lines about his beloved Bulls, too. The Heat also presented Obama with a trophy and a personalized jersey as part of the ceremony. From Joe DiMaggio visiting President Eisenhower in 1953 to the UConn women pulling out the bunny ears on President Obama in 2013, here is a historical look at athletes visiting the White House.

Pelé

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Chicago Bulls

Stephen Jaffe/AFP/Getty Images

Detroit Red Wings

Chris Kleponis/AFP/Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Boston Red Sox

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Tony Stewart

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Miami Heat

Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens

Charles Dharapak/AP

On June 5, 2013, the Ravens celebrated their 2012 championship season with a trip to the White House.

Connecticut Women's Basketball

Carolyn Kaster/AP

1972 Miami Dolphins

Alex Wong/Getty Images

The 1972 Miami Dolphins have finally received their White House moment, 40 years after their historic undefeated season. It was a long wait for a Super Bowl championship team whose feat of 17 games without a loss has been unmatched in the NFL. President Barack Obama welcomed former team members and their then-coach, Hall of Famer Don Shula, at a White House ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 20, in recognition of their perfect season. Among those present was the team's star fullback, Hall of Famer Larry Csonka, who made the trip from Alaska. The '72 Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins in the January 1973 Super Bowl. But in 1973 President Richard Nixon was preoccupied with the Watergate scandal, and White House salutes to sports teams were less of a tradition than now. From Joe DiMaggio visiting President Eisenhower in 1953 to the UConn women pulling out the bunny ears on President Obama in 2013, here is a historical look at athletes visiting the White House.