    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [March 27, 1997]
    [Pages 357-358]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the NCAA Football Champion University of Florida Gators
    March 27, 1997

        The President. Thank you very much. Please be seated. President and
    Mrs. Lombardi, Athletic Director Foley, Mayor Jennings, Congresswoman
    Thurman--I know what a happy day this is for you. Senator Breaux, we're
    glad to see you here. Senator Breaux thinks he represents anyplace
    that's perpetually warm. [Laughter] We're honored to have you here.
        Let me say, when Coach Spurrier and Danny and I walked in I was
    hoping, when I hobbled in, that one of you might mistake me for a member
    of the team who just had a rough time in the bowl game. [Laughter] But I
    remembered that a few years ago Danny had a little knee injury, and if I
    come back from mine as well as he did from his, my future is secure, I
    think.
        I am delighted to be here with you. I look forward to these
    occasions every year, but I especially want to congratulate you on a
    wonderful season and an astonishing championship game. The 32-point
    margin of victory, I'm sure all of you know, against the number one
    ranked team is the largest in bowl history and something that the
    University of Florida can always be very proud of.
        I'd also note--it's somewhat difficult for me to note this, being
    from Arkansas, but every year I've been President, Florida has won the
    Southeastern Conference championship. [Laughter] I was impressed not
    only by the stars on the team--by Danny Wuerffel and Ike Hilliard, and
    by the fact that Terry Jackson joined his brother, Willy, in Sugar Bowl
    history by rushing for over 100 yards--I was impressed by the teamwork
    of this team. And I have followed college football very closely for
    nearly 40 years now, and I really believe that the University of
    Florida, in the last 5 or 6 years, has written a whole new chapter in
    college football, in much the way that Oklahoma did a few decades ago
    with the wishbone. You have changed football forever and for the better.
    It is more exciting than it has ever been before, and you do it better
    than anyone else.
        I know that this national championship was a special triumph for
    Steve Spurrier because when he played for the Gators, he won the Heisman
    Trophy. He came back as a coach to have many successes, but there is no
    success like winning the national championship. And

    [[Page 358]]

    doing it for your alma mater after so many efforts and so many fine
    performances and, frankly, when it doesn't come so easily, when you have
    to keep fighting for it, even sometimes when you think it's not quite
    fair, must make it all the sweeter.
        I've also been in a position of having to try to defeat someone who
    once beat me for something I cared a great deal about, and that makes it
    a little better, too. [Laughter] So again, let me say it's a great honor
    to have you in the White House. I know I'm too old to play for this
    team, but don't hold my injury against me.
        Coach Spurrier, the floor is yours.
        Thank you.

    [At this point, head coach Steve Spurrier and quarterback Danny Wuerffel
    made brief remarks and presented the President with a jersey.]

        Coach Spurrier. I don't know if you can wear that jogging or not.
        The President. Yes, I can. Thank you. Move that out of here so we
    can take a good picture of this.

        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:55 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to John V. Lombardi, president,
    University of Florida, and his wife, Cathryn; Jeremy Foley, Athletic
    Director, University of Florida; and Mayor Edward Jennings of
    Gainesville, FL.