[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 14 (Monday, April 8, 2002)]
[Pages 550-551]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.
    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 Gino Cappelletti, retired Patriots 
wide receiver. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick.

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