Last week, I mentioned that Steelers owner Dan Rooney, so moved by Barack Obama's candidacy, campaigned heavily for the then-Illinois senator. And in the months that followed, the two developed a bond. (Though not nearly as strong as the one Peter King and Brett Favre share. Obviously.)
Rooney even traveled to the White House shortly after the inauguration to hand-deliver the AFC Championship game ball. Given that -- coupled with Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill supporting John McCain -- it makes perfect sense that Obama would be a Steelers fan on Sunday.
And, apparently, beyond. When the president was asked about it in the Oval Office on Thursday, he offered this:
"I have to say, I wish the Cardinals the best. Kurt Warner is a great story, and he's closer to my age than anybody else on the field, but I am a longtime Steelers' fan. Mr. Rooney, the owner, was just an extraordinary supporter during the course of the campaign. Franco Harris was campaigning for me in Pittsburgh... Coach Tomlin was a supporter ... so, you know, I wish the best to the Cardinals. They've been long-suffering, it's a great Cinderella story. But other than the Bears, the Steelers are probably the team that's closest to my heart."
And then Obama added: "I've also ordered the National Guard to detain Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon and give him a Code Red using Terrible Towels. Just to send a message for any other would-be funny guys."*
* For the dim-witted, that was a joke. Obama said no such thing.
Super Bowl Rings
The NFL pays for up to 150 Super Bowl rings at $5,000 per ring. Above is the Super Bowl XLII version presented to the N.Y. Giants after a 17-14 win over New England at University of Phoenix Stadium. Eli Manning was MVP. Click through to see all 42 rings.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 at Dolphins Stadium in Miami. Peyton Manning was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10 at Ford Field in Detroit. Hines Ward was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXIX: New England 24, Philadelphia 21 at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville. Deion Branch was MVP.
Jostens, Inc.
Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England 32, Carolina 29 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Tom Brady was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Dexter Jackson was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXVI: New England 20, St. Louis 17 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Tom Brady was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXV: Baltimore 34, N.Y. Giants 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Ray Lewis was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Kurt Warner was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver 34, Atlanta 19 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. John Elway was MVP.
NFL / WireImage.com
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
1-30-2009 @ 7:42AM
gwd1956 said...
Obama is pulling for the Steelers a long time fan right!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel he is pulling for the Steelers the same way he got into office. Black Coach and a half and half President, but clamins to be black. Well if the glove fits you must go for it.
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1-30-2009 @ 8:14AM
LyndaMarcia said...
You are so stupid. White people have pulled for whites for years, and I did not hear anyone crying about it. It's called freedom of choach you idiot. It is people like yourself that messes up the "world". Get over it, whites no longer have all the power, "Thank God for that".
1-30-2009 @ 9:17AM
gwd1956 said...
I would like to reply to LyndaMarcia sounds I have ruffled her feathers....oh well and and you can spell it COACH if you wish.....I am over it apparently your not, say you are a Obama supporter for sure. I am sure you have bought several of the plates as well or at least the coins so you can worship him in your own LITTLE way.
1-31-2009 @ 12:57AM
Bonnie said...
Well, another Anti-American, Bigot radical that can't seem to get the facts straight. And, what kind of a football game would be watching on Sunday if not for the stellar BLACK athletes that entertain you daily and NOW are leading our country as well. Take off your 'rose colored, fake conservative glasses" and get on the WINNING side.......that would be Steelers AND Obama! Oh, and by the way, you have your very OWN House Boy now leading the Republican National Committee......Go figure, you had to COPY success with a black stand-in that I THINK MIGHT BE A MUSLIM TERRORIST, I'LL HAVE TO ASK RUSH LIMBAUGH AND SEAN HANNITY TO VERIFY IT!!! tehe
1-30-2009 @ 8:07AM
ajolie0023 said...
I was for the Cards, now I wants the Steelers because Obama wants the Steelers. I want and like everything Obama does. Obama is the man!!!
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1-30-2009 @ 8:47AM
tnnrec said...
OBaba 2009 picks: Steelers, Terrorists in Cuba, Iranians, Kenyans, muslims, minorities, bailout for contributions and illegals ( including his Aunt Zuituni).........vs Arizona ( wonder why), American safety, military, White Christians and the average American tax paying citizen.
He condems wall street CEO bonuses, but keeps the bailout money flowing to them so they can pay it out.........all it is, is rhetoric
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1-30-2009 @ 8:55AM
GURU said...
I WONDER IF HE PICKED A FAVORITE OIL COMPANY
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1-30-2009 @ 9:07AM
Jane said...
Can't we even enjoy football without having to hear about Obama????? enough already.
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1-30-2009 @ 10:54AM
jem63132 said...
They ask the president every year which team he supports.
1-30-2009 @ 9:39AM
countflock said...
I think President Obama needs to spend more time fixing this country's problems than talking about the Superbowl.
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1-30-2009 @ 10:04AM
suemarney said...
WHO CARES! is this going to help our unemployed, out of work people who have zero income?
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1-31-2009 @ 12:38AM
Bonnie said...
Oh yeah......speaking of the weak and nasty state of our nation............oh yeah, BUSH will probably watch the Superbowl too! I can almost guarantee that he will be rooting for whoever loses............it's just his nature!
1-30-2009 @ 10:38AM
pokey501gm said...
Well, I was going for the Steelers...
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1-30-2009 @ 11:11AM
Maximus said...
who cares what the funky monkey thinks .....he needs to go back and do all the terrible things hes been doing ....like freeing muslim prisoners ...going to racist church ...dining with known terrorist, and wanting to kill innocent babies...what a joke hes not my president and never will be
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1-30-2009 @ 11:19AM
Maximus said...
ajolie and marcia does it get any more ignorant then the two of you imbeciles...we know you love your racist obama bin laden but doesnt meen we need to hear about it
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1-30-2009 @ 12:37PM
Hugh Jassol said...
LyndaMarcia said...
You are so stupid. White people have pulled for whites for years, and I did not hear anyone crying about it. It's called freedom of choach you idiot.************ I have always been an advocate of freedom of choach! While you're calling someone else an idiot, how's that glass house thing working for you? Hahaha.
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1-30-2009 @ 1:13PM
squintbay said...
S* F****** W***
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1-30-2009 @ 1:35PM
jrob821282 said...
I agree, I'm so sick of everything being obama this and obama that. Get over it everyone he's elected (even tho people with any brains didn't vote for him )so stop with the God thing. Something he'll never be no matter who he thinks he is. And nother thing all thing snooty hooty celebrities who got that jerk voted in don't even call him President. They all call him obama. Could it be that it even makes then sick to put President in front of his name.
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1-30-2009 @ 1:38PM
woodk said...
Hmmm, And the world goes round and round...You guys sound like your at a boxing match and for what person...Black or White..People are people no matter the color of ones skin! I bet that anyone of you would take whatever from the other if they should be the only one able to give!! All of this hate only causes more hate and aren't we all suffering the same reprecussions for it! We have nor had anything to do with what happened over 200 years ago, Soo...While my opinion is of one...You can bet the only judge in this world is GOD and pray for your comments on hate to be forgiven. Go out and do something productive for yourself and this country and leave all the BS where it should be..In the Toilet! Go Steelers Go :)
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1-30-2009 @ 2:30PM
tammiedward said...
Get a life haters. Obama is the president now and you are just going to have to deal with it just like we had to put up with Bush's nonsense for years.
Have a great day ;)
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