Politics

Obama praises Red Sox for embodying "Boston Strong"

By Stephanie Condon

/ CBS News

Obama praises Red Sox for embodying "Boston Strong"

President Obama on Tuesday welcomed the Boston Red Sox to the White House, honoring the team for winning the 2013 World Series and embodying "Boston Strong," the motto the city adopted after the Boston Marathon bombing last April.

"As president, I'm grateful for their character and their embrace of the essential role they played in the city," Mr. Obama said from the White House South Lawn, with the team behind him. "Sometimes sports seems like it's trivial... then every once in a while you're reminded... it has the power to bring people together like almost nothing can."

Big Papi snaps "selfie" with Obama
The team, he said, "symbolized the grit and resilience of one of America's most iconic cities." And, the president joked, since the team won the championship game on its home field, Fenway Park, "the diehards can finally declare that definitely the curse has been broken."

"Bottom line is, I'm proud of these guys," Mr. Obama said. David Ortiz, also known as "Big Papi," presented Mr. Obama with a Red Sox Jersey with the number 44 (Mr. Obama is the 44th president) and then took a selfie with the president.

Stephanie Condon

Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.

First published on April 1, 2014 / 12:41 PM EDT

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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