On May 31, President Joe Biden welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs, repeat Super Bowl champions, to the White House. This visit follows their Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February. Biden, who is also seeking consecutive wins with the upcoming election, remarked, “The Kansas City Chiefs, the first team in 20 years to win back to back — winning back to back, I kind of like that.” The last team to achieve this was the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005.
Among the 30 players visiting were quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce, wearing an oversized tan suit reminiscent of Barack Obama, humorously addressed the crowd, “I’m not going to lie, President Biden, they told me if I came up here I’d get tased, so I’m going back to my spot.”
Head coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach, and owner Clark Hunt were also present. Hunt highlighted the unifying power of sports, saying, “The amazing thing about sports is how they can bring a community together … there’s a lot that can divide us today, but for so many of us, sports provide a unifying joy that we all need.”
The event was not without controversy. Kicker Harrison Butker, who faced backlash for a commencement speech urging female graduates to prioritize homemaking over careers, and wide receiver Rashee Rice, who recently surrendered to police after a multi-car accident in Dallas, were both in attendance. The visit concluded with Biden trying on a Chiefs helmet, encouraged by the players. “We got the royal treatment,” Reid commented. “Had a nice tour. Listen, I don’t know how many presidents try on your team’s helmet.”
