March 19, 2007

3:03 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. This isn't exactly "the swamp." (Laughter.) This weekend, it would have been the ice rink. Today, it is the White House that welcomes the National Champion Florida Gators. (Applause.)

So you might remember one of my family members held elected office in Florida. Yes, that was -- (applause) -- I hope he's found work. (Laughter.) And so I said, you know, I had the privilege of welcoming the Texas Longhorns to the White House. He said, one of these days, you're going to be welcoming a Florida team. And he's right. One year after the Longhorns came, here comes the mighty Gators. And we welcome you. And we're glad you're here. (Applause.)

So you might call it Gator country. This is the 100th anniversary of college football at the University of Florida. It's a pretty fine way to celebrate the 100th year. (Applause.)

I want to thank Coach Urban Meyer and Shelley for joining us. I appreciate Dr. Machen, the President of the University of Florida, and his wife, Chris. Manny Fernandez, thanks for coming -- he's the Chairman. Members of the Board of Trustees, we're glad you all are here. Thank you for serving.

Carolyn Roberts, who is the Chair of the Board of Governors, is with us. I presume the Athletic Director is here. If not, he's probably done -- it's amazing, isn't it? So, like, the basketball team, and now the football team. (Applause.) Like, what are you doing down there? (Laughter.) Yes, Gatorade. (Laughter.)

I appreciate the members of my administration who are here, but I particularly want to thank the members of Congress, starting with Senator Bill Nelson. Thank you for coming, Senator. Appreciate you being here. Adam Putnam, all he talks about is Gator football. (Applause.) Cliff Stearns -- appreciate you being here, Cliff. Corrine Brown, thank you for coming. John Mica, Ander Crenshaw, Jeff Miller, and Gus Bilirakis, thank you all for joining us. Thanks for serving. (Applause.)

So the Florida Gators had the nation's toughest schedule, and instead of wearing them down, it made them tougher; instead of, like, discouraging them that they got the bad deal when it came to the schedule, all that did was cause them to play harder. And it put them in pretty good stead going into the championship game. Like you might remember, all the pre-game polls said you couldn't win. (Laughter.) So much for polls. (Laughter and applause.)

I don't know how you felt when the guy ran the kickoff back -- looked like a rough start -- but you didn't let it get you down. And you showed an unbelievable offense and a swarming defense. And we really congratulate you, you're a well-coached team of highly disciplined athletes.

I particularly like the story of the two quarterbacks, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. First of all -- (applause.) Where's Tebow? There he is. It's like the guy is trying to bring the single wing back, you know? (Laughter.) And so Tebow takes a look at Florida and sees the fact that they've got a four-year starter, but loves the school more than anything else and helps Chris Leak be a better quarterback. That's what we call teammates, people playing together for the common good. And we thank you both for the leadership you've shown. Of course, you wouldn't be half the players that you are without the huge offensive line and the receivers and backs you've got behind you -- I know you would say that.

I appreciate your defense. I clearly remember linebacker Earl Everett. (Applause.) I've seen that face before. (Laughter.) So has the whole country. You might remember, Everett lost his headgear. He didn't lose his head -- (laughter) -- but he lost his headgear and he went on to make a great tackle in a key moment. That's called tough defense, hard-nosed defense. (Applause.)

Where's Ray McDonald? Can I say what Ray McDonald said? Can I quote you, Ray? Okay, I will. (Laughter.) Here's what he said: "We don't really believe in destiny. We believe when your number is called, you make the play." What he's saying is, is that there's no chance. "We win because we do what we're coached to do, and we're good at it." And I appreciate the spirit, and I appreciate the caliber -- (applause) -- of people on this team.

It didn't take Urban Meyer long. Like, the guy shows up, the next thing he knows, he's at the White House. (Laughter.) Whoever hired him, good choice. He's an amazing coach, with a good coaching staff. And so I congratulate not only the players, but I congratulate the coaching staff. I congratulate all those who pick up the towels and make the program run. I thank those who help sell the tickets, and the unsung heroes of any athletic program. If you're here, we welcome you to the White House, and we appreciate what you've done for the national champs.

I do want to say another thing about this program, Mr. President. I was very pleased to see that the graduation success rate of Florida's athletic programs are 15 percent higher than the national average. (Applause.) After all, you are representing a great university. And I appreciate the fact that people can be student athletes. I appreciate it because at some point in time, you're not going to be an athlete. At some point in time, you're going to have to use the skills you learned as a student to be a constructive citizen of the United States.

And so, Coach, I appreciate the fact that you work hard with these players to make sure that they take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, and that is to be a student at the University of Florida.

I also appreciate the spirit of giving that's a part of this football program. I don't know if you know this or not, but Coach Meyer hosts the annual Urban Meyer Golf Scramble for Kids. This year, the event raised a record $300,000, all aiming at helping youth organizations buy equipment, all aiming at touching a soul, trying to make somebody's life better.

Coach, I appreciate the example you set, and I also appreciate the fact that 32 of your football players volunteered for community organizations; 32 souls said, I'm more than a football player, I'm a leader when it comes to helping the community in which I live.

Jamalle Cornelius, just happens to be captain. (Applause) Here's what he said. He said, "If everyone took a small leadership role in whatever it is they do, we can help eliminate some of the problems that are in our society." I love the spirit. (Applause.) I love the fact that champions understand you've got to be a champ on the field, as well as a champ off the field. And I believe one of the reasons this program is successful is because not only you're good football players, but you're good people.

And I want to say one other thing now that I've got the mic -- (laughter) -- I want to say something at Cam Brewer. Where's Cam? There he is, right there. United States Marine. (Applause.) I appreciate the fact that you wore the uniform of the United States of America. I appreciate the fact that you put self -- something larger than yourself as an important part of your life. It's a good example, isn't it? And now I appreciate the fact that you've taken advantage of the educational opportunities offered to those who have worn the uniform and gotten yourself an education at a fine university.

Again, I want to welcome you all to the White House. It's an honor to welcome you here. More importantly, it's an honor to welcome the National Football Champion Florida Gators. (Applause.)

END 3:11 P.M. EDT