[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[April 2, 2002]
[Pages 533-534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Honoring the 2002 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots
April 2, 2002

    The President. I'm honored to welcome the Super Bowl champ Patriots 
to the Rose Garden. I want to thank their owner, Bob Kraft, for his leadership. And of course, I want to thank 
their coach. Coach Bill has brought a lot of 
organization and clarity of purpose to this organization. I can remember 
when they were down on you a little bit--I know how you feel. [Laughter]
    As a matter of fact, the Patriots learned an interesting lesson. I 
remember watching all the experts talk about the Super Bowl. No one 
thought they'd win. They learned what I learned, that in politics and 
sports, the experts are often wrong.
    I was really impressed by the character of this team. Most of all--I 
obviously watched the game--I was amazed at the play and how they won. 
For a guy growing up in Texas, that snow game looked pretty rough. 
[Laughter] But I know all the Patriot fans were thrilled with that game 
and the Super Bowl. I know you've got some great fans here.

[[Page 534]]

    Obviously, Members of the Congress are great fans. It's good to see 
Senator Kennedy, Senator 
Jeffords, who are here. I don't know if 
any Members of the Congress are here as well, but I want to thank you 
both for coming.
    I was impressed by a lot, but let me tell you what impressed me most 
was when the team took the field prior to the Super Bowl. It wasn't one 
of these things where the spotlight was on any individual; everybody 
went out at the same time. I thought that was a pretty good signal to 
America that teamwork is important, that the individual matters to the 
team, but the team is bigger than the individual. That's one of the 
things I try to explain to people in Washington, that we're here to 
serve something greater than ourself. And I appreciated so very much 
that signal to the country.
    I remember watching the early Patriots there in Houston, when they 
came down to the AFL. And I remember Gino Cappelletti. And Gino Cappelletti said this about this team--I think 
you probably remember Gino Cappelletti, don't you, Senator 
Kennedy? You were around in those days--
[laughter]--barely, but around. ``I think every guy that ever played for 
the Patriots would be proud of this bunch. They are not only a team with 
great heart and toughness; they're also a good group of guys. They were 
champs on the field and, more importantly, champs off the field''--by 
sending not only a clear message about the importance of teamwork but 
about the importance of serving something greater than yourself in life, 
whether it be the Salvation Army in the Boston area or after-school 
programs so some child realizes somebody cares about them or how they 
conduct their own home life--is just as important to me and America, for 
that matter, than winning on the football field. So it's an honor to 
welcome true football champs but, as well, really fine Americans to the 
Rose Garden.
    Congratulations.

[At this point, Robert Kraft, chairman and 
owner, and Bill Belichick, head coach, made 
brief remarks and presented the President with a team jersey and an 
autographed football.]

    The President. I appreciate that. Thank you, sir. That is short. 
[Laughter] Congratulations. Congratulations to you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:25 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to retired Patriots player Gino 
Cappelletti. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Mr. Kraft and Mr. Belichick.