Obama congratulates Super Bowl-winning Ravens at White House

Obama congratulates Super Bowl-winning Ravens at White House

President Obama recalled the Ravens comeback win over the Denver Broncos.

To the victor go the spoils, which in the case of the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens meant a gathering at the White House on Wednesday to celebrate the win with President Barack Obama.

The Ravens enjoyed one last great moment together, as the team will endure some changes next season with the retirement of superb linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed’s signing with the Houston Texans.

There was still time to look back during the gathering with Obama, who once again proved his sports knowledge to those in attendance. He recalled the Ravens comeback win over the Broncos then how they held off a powerful San Francisco 49ers team to capture the Super Bowl.

“Now, I imagine there were times last year when these players were the only ones who knew that they’d make it here to show off this trophy,” Obama said. “Because during the year, they lost player after player to injury; they dropped four of their last five regular season games. In the playoffs, they trailed Denver by a touchdown with 70 yards and less than a minute to go. And I still don’t know how — well …  and then, in the Super Bowl, just when it looked like they had the momentum, the lights went out for a half hour, but these Ravens always pulled through.”

Obama even made special mention of Ravens signal-caller Joe Flacco, noting the quarterback developed his game as a college star in Delaware, the same state Vice President Joe Biden hails from. Obama said Flacco could soon rival the VP for popularity in The First State.

Most of the team’s notable players showed for the affair, the Ravens’ first White House visit since they crushed the New York Giants in 2001, with the exception of Anquan Boldin, Bernard Pollard, Paul Kruger, Cary Williams and Michael Oher, of ‘The Blind Side” movie fame.

It seems like ancient history, but the Ravens defense actually struggled during the regular season and there was a time when Flacco was not considered an elite quarterback.

Incoming linemen Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil and safety Michael Huff  will buffer the team’s defense this coming season, while Flacco will have gained confidence from his superb playoff run and a new contract that will pay a nifty $120.6 million over six years. Only Aaron Rodgers of the Packers boasts a larger contract from behind center.

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