[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
[March 19, 2007]
[Pages 326-328]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks Honoring the 2006 NCAA Football Champion University of Florida
Gators
March 19, 2007
Please be seated. This isn't exactly ``The Swamp.'' [Laughter] This
weekend, it would have been ``The Ice Rink.'' Today it is the White
House that welcomes the National Champion Florida Gators.
So you might remember, one of my family members held elected office
in Florida. Yes, that was--[applause]--I hope he's found work.
[Laughter] And so I said: ``You know, I had the privilege of welcoming
the Texas Longhorns to the White House.'' He said: ``One of these days,
you're going to be welcoming a Florida team.'' And he's right. One year
after the Longhorns came, here comes the mighty Gators. And we welcome
you, and we're glad you're here.
So you might call it Gator country. This is the 100th anniversary of
college football at the University of Florida. It's a pretty fine way to
celebrate the 100th year.
I want to thank Coach Urban Meyer and
Shelley for joining us. I appreciate Dr.
Machen, the president of the
University of Florida, and his wife Chris.
Manny
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Fernandez, thanks for coming--he's a
chairman. Members of the boards of trustees, we're glad you all are
here. Thank you for serving.
Carolyn Roberts, who is the chair of
the board of governors, is with us. I presume the athletic
director is here. If not, he's probably
done--it's amazing, isn't it--so, like, the basketball team and now the
football team. Like, what are you doing down there? [Laughter] Yes,
Gatorade. [Laughter]
I appreciate the members of my administration who are here, but I
particularly want to thank the Members of Congress, starting with
Senator Bill Nelson. Thank you
for coming, Senator. Appreciate you being here. Adam Putnam--all he talks about is Gator football.
Cliff Stearns--appreciate you being
here, Cliff. Corrine Brown, thank you for
coming. John Mica, Ander Crenshaw, Jeff Miller, and Gus
Bilirakis, thank you all for joining us.
Thanks for serving.
So the Florida Gators had the Nation's toughest schedule, and
instead of wearing them down, it made them tougher; instead of, like,
discouraging them that they got the bad deal when it came to the
schedule, all that did was cause them to play harder. And it put them in
pretty good stead going into the championship game. Like, you might
remember, all the pregame polls said you couldn't win. [Laughter] So
much for polls.
I don't know how you felt when the guy ran
the kickoff back--looked like a rough start--but didn't let you--it get
you down. And you showed an unbelievable offense and a swarming defense.
And we really congratulate you; you're a well-coached team of highly
disciplined athletes.
I particularly like the story of the two quarterbacks, Chris
Leak and Tim Tebow. First
of all--[applause]. Where's Tebow? There he is. It's like the guy is
trying to bring the single wing back, you know? [Laughter] And so Tebow
takes a look at Florida and sees the fact that they've got a 4-year
starter, but loves the school more than anything else and helps Chris
Leak be a better quarterback. That's what we call teammates--people
playing together for the common good. And we thank you both for the
leadership you've shown. Of course, you wouldn't be half the players
that you are without the huge offensive line and the receivers and backs
you've got behind you; I know you would say that.
I appreciate your defense. I clearly remember linebacker Earl
Everett. I've seen that face before. [Laughter]
So has the whole country. You might remember; Everett lost his headgear.
He didn't lose his head--[laughter]--but he lost his headgear; he went
on to make a great tackle in a key moment. That's called tough defense,
hard-nosed defense.
Where's Ray McDonald? Can I say what Ray
McDonald said? Can I quote you, Ray? Okay, I will. [Laughter] Here's
what he said: ``We don't really believe in destiny. We believe when your
number is called, you make the play.'' What he's saying is, is that
there's no chance: ``We win because we do what we're coached to do, and
we're good at it.'' And I appreciate the spirit, and I appreciate the
caliber of people on this team.
It didn't take Urban Meyer long. Like, the
guy shows up; the next thing he knows, he's at the White House.
[Laughter] Whoever hired him, good choice. He's an amazing coach, with a
good coaching staff. And so I congratulate not only the players, but I
congratulate the coaching staff. I congratulate all those who pick up
the towels and make the program run. I thank those who help sell the
tickets and the unsung heroes of any athletic program. If you're here,
we welcome you to the White House, and we appreciate what you've done
for the national champs.
I do want to say another thing about this program, Mr.
President. I was very pleased
to see that the graduation success rate of Florida's athletic programs
are 15 percent higher than the national average.
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After all, you are representing a great university. And I appreciate the
fact that people can be student-athletes. I appreciate it because at
some point in time, you're not going to be an athlete. At some point in
time, you're going to have to use the skills you learned as a student to
be a constructive citizen of the United States. And so, Coach, I appreciate the fact that you work hard with these
players to make sure that they take advantage of this fantastic
opportunity, and that is to be a student at the University of Florida.
I also appreciate the spirit of giving that's a part of this
football program. I don't know if you know this or not, but Coach
Meyer hosts the annual Urban Meyer Golf Scramble
for Kids. This year, the event raised a record $300,000, all aiming at
helping youth organizations buy equipment, all aiming at touching a
soul, trying to make somebody's life better.
Coach, I appreciate the example you set, and
I also appreciate the fact that 32 of your football players volunteered
for community organizations; 32 souls said: ``I'm more than a football
player; I'm a leader when it comes to helping the community in which I
live.''
Jemalle Cornelius just so happens to
be captain. Here's what he said; he said: ``If everyone took a small
leadership role in whatever it is they do, we can help eliminate some of
the problems that are in our society.'' I love the spirit. I love the
fact that champions understand you've got to be a champ on the field as
well as a champ off the field. And I believe one of the reasons this
program is successful is because not only you're good football players,
but you're good people.
And I want to say one other thing about--now that I've got the
mike--[laughter]--I want to say something at Cam Brewer. Where's Cam? There he is, right there--United States
marine. I appreciate the fact that you wore the uniform of the United
States of America. I appreciate the fact that you put self--something
larger than yourself as an important part of your life. It's a good
example, isn't it? And now I appreciate the fact that you've taken
advantage of the educational opportunities offered to those who have
worn the uniform and gotten yourself an education at a fine university.
Again, I want to welcome you all to the White House. It's an honor
to welcome you here. More importantly, it's an honor to welcome the
National Football Champion Florida Gators.
Note: The President spoke at 3:03 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida;
J. Bernard Machen, president, Manny A. Fernandez, chairman of the board
of trustees, and Jeremy N. Foley, athletic director, University of
Florida; Carolyn K. Roberts, chairman of the board of governors, State
University System of Florida; and Ray McDonald, defensive end, and
Jemalle Cornelius and Cam Brewer, wide receivers, University of Florida
football team.