    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 12 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
    [Pages 351-353]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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.

    [[Page 352]]

        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 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.

    [[Page 353]]

        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. 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.