New England, which beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX Feb. 6, has made the traditional victors' outing so often that linebacker Tedy Bruschi couldn't remember which visit to the White House took place on an extremely hot day. That was last May. The Patriots also visited the White House in April 2002.
"It's always nice to come back to the White House," quarterback Tom Brady said. "You don't know how many times you'll get a chance to do it, so you better take advantage of it."
About 30 players were part of a travel party of more than 100, with seven players joining team owner Robert Kraft in arriving early to visit wounded soldiers at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"To go there and see those wounded troops, and the people that are helping them, makes what we do seem so unimportant," Brady said. "That was the highlight of the trip. It's an honor for us to meet people who risk their lives over there protecting us. They're our heroes."
The White House visit was much lighter in tone. Bush opened his speech by joking that he figured Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was comfortable enough at the White House to sport one of his "designer" sweatshirts.
Belichick, who wore a suit and tie, may have one-upped him, however.
"As the leader of our country and a world leader, we want you to be out front in fashion," Belichick quipped before presenting Bush with one of his signature gray, hooded tops. He also gave Bush a game ball from the Super Bowl.
Kraft gave Bush a white Patriots game jersey, with the No. 1 on it, and said he hoped Bush would wear his third Patriots jersey with pride.
"You won't see it on eBay, I can assure you that," Bush said.
Bush pointed to Massachusetts Senators John Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy, and Representative Marty Meehan, all seated in the front row.
"I'm glad you all are here, but I'm surprised more of the [Massachusetts] delegation [didn't] come, but you know, Red Sox one week, Patriots the next, it's getting to be old hat here," he said.
