On Thursday, November 21, President Biden welcomed the Boston Celtics at the South Lawn of the White House and led the team on a tour of the Oval Office. Biden congratulated the players on their 18th championship victory this summer, surpassing the Lakers and becoming the team with the most NBA championships in history.
It has become a tradition in the sports world for professional sports teams in the United States to visit the White House and celebrate their championships with the President. This tradition dates back to 1963 when NBA legend Bill Russell led the Celtics to victory and was invited to meet President Kennedy at the White House.
During the reception at the White House, President Biden quoted a famous saying from the Celtics’ founder Red Auerbach, stating, “The Celtics are not just a basketball team, but a way of life.” He then received a number 46 jersey from star player Jayson Tatum and guard Derrick White.
President Biden also mentioned that the Secret Service had given him the secret code name “Celtic”. “It’s true. Because I’m Irish,” Biden said. “Everyone behind me is Irish at heart. I am proud of this trophy in a special way. From this old Irish Celtic to all of you Celtics, congratulations.”
Biden, who became the youngest senator in American history at the age of 35, is now the oldest president in American history. He expressed a sense of fondness towards head coach Joe Mazzulla, as Mazzulla led the Celtics to victory in his second season at just 35 years old.
“Joe is the youngest championship head coach since Bill Russell,” Biden said with a smile. “I told him, I used to be the youngest, now I’m the oldest. Of course, I prefer being the youngest.”
President Biden and the team posed for a photo on the platform facing the Washington Monument, with green lights shining from behind the White House roof. The live band performed “Shipping up to Boston”. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and most of the state’s congressional delegation attended the event.
Next, the Boston Celtics will face the Washington Wizards on Saturday, November 23.
In recent years, due to differences in players’ political stances, NBA championship teams have not visited the White House frequently.
During the Trump administration, the Warriors who won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, as well as the Raptors who won in 2019, did not visit the White House. The Lakers, champions in 2020, were unable to attend due to the pandemic.