WASHINGTON, D.C. — Whether it's a panel of his most trusted advisors, the U.S. Congress, or a football team, President Barack Obama knows how to work a room.
Obama opened his brief speech Monday with the 2014 college football national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, with a few O-H's in the White House.
It's not hard to get a room that's pro-Buckeye on your side, as the signature cheer reverberates throughout Ohio Stadium constantly on Saturday afternoons in the fall. The final "I-O" Obama received Monday, though, wasn't exactly the best effort of those in attendance.
"That last one was a little weak," Obama said.
Laughter ensued, but the leader of the free world made sure it wasn't the final time the people packed tightly into the West Room would have their sides splitting.
The President even took a bit of credit for the Buckeyes getting a chance to visit him in nation's capital. If it weren't for the College Football Playoff existing, Ohio State would have missed out on the chance to prove themselves to the country.
"The country got to enjoy it's first ever College Football Playoffs and I will say it was about time. I cannot claim full credit. I will point out that I pushed for a playoff system in 2008," Obama said. "This is a promise kept by me. So, you're welcome America."
Obama singled out crucial members of the national title-winning Buckeyes, a group who battled back from an awful loss to Virginia Tech in the second week of the season to win 13 consecutive games including the 42-20 triumph over Oregon Jan. 12 in Dallas.
Joey Bosa
It made sense for Obama to start with Ohio State's best player, consensus All-American Joey Bosa.
"Consensus All-American, led the conference in sacks in 2014 including the one that ended the double overtime game against Penn State," Obama said. "He followed each one with his signature celebration, a shrug. I do that move sometimes."
The President followed that statement with a courtesy shrug of his own much to the delight of the room, but especially Bosa, who glowed in the corner of the risers behind where Obama was standing.
President Obama then complimented Bosa's haircut — one the All-American's only been sporting for about a month.
"I had to look good for you," Bosa fired back, in only the fashion he can.
"See, I appreciate that. But he assures us that the shrug will be back next year," Obama said.
Evan Spencer
Dubbed the teams Most Valuable Player by head coach Urban Meyer, Obama proved he knows good football talent when he sees it even if it doesn't translate to the biggest dent in the scorebook.
"Wide receiver Evan Spencer was named team MVP in 2014 for his selfless play, great blocking and even a perfectly thrown touchdown pass to Michael Thomas in the Sugar Bowl," Obama said.
Spencer was baffled to hear his name selected out above all others.
"It meant the world," he said. "All of us, we all worked so hard all season and for him to kind of show that I did do really well and I did work my butt off, especially from it being from the President of the United States, it felt really good actually."
Ezekiel Elliott
Lest we forget the most recent recipient of the AAU's Sullivan Award, the running back who torched Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon for 696 yards in the postseason and earned MVP honors in the title game.
"In addition to rushing for over 1,800 yards behind and extraordinary offensive line, as good as we've seen in a very long time, and earning the championship game MVP, Ezekiel Elliott made the NCAA fashion police take a close look at their midriff policies," Obama quipped, before thanking the running back for tucking in his shirt for Monday's occasion.
Elliott responded by telling him he needed to tell the NCAA to change the rule against wearing crop tops — and the President capitalized.
"I already got (everyone) the Playoff. I got other stuff to do now," Obama said.
The Quarterbacks
Obama mentioned how Ohio State worked past the loss of Braxton Miller and then J.T. Barrett — who the President said broke his ankle "against a certain team up north."
He then moved on to Cardale Jones, the man who stood under center for the three biggest games of the season.
"Anybody with a nickname like 12-Gauge has to be taken seriously. I told him that I could throw a football 75 yards also, but he didn't believe me, so he clearly is a smart kid," Obama said.
Ohio State completed their day with photographs with members of the Ohio delegation on the East House Steps of the U.S. Capitol before flying back to Columbus.
They wouldn't have been there, though, if it weren't for the help of the most powerful man in the world.
"Glad he’s a sports fan. He made the point several times, but it’s true that he jumped right in the middle of the conversation about the College Football Playoff and we obviously benefited," Meyer said. "So it was a great day."
And here's your reminder to keep the comments free of your political #hot #takes (or meet the ban hammer).
