Trump welcomes Tide to White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump welcomed college football national champion Alabama to the White House on Tuesday and assured the Crimson Tide that he “was watching” their thrilling overtime victory over Georgia.

Trump feted the team in the traditional visit to the White House, and he did one better than his predecessors Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who had welcomed Tide coach Nick Saban on visits after his five other national titles. Trump invited Saban, along with school president Stuart R. Bell and athletic director Greg Byrne, into the Oval Office before the ceremony.

“You’ve been here six times, and this is your first time in the Oval,” Trump said to Saban. “They didn’t invite you. Trump invites you.”

Trump had attended the game in Atlanta in January, appearing on the field for the playing of the national anthem and the presentation of the American flag. It was a gesture that came after the president engaged in a season-long fight with the National Football League over the demonstrations by some players who knelt during the anthem to protest police brutality, something Trump called disrespectful to the country.

Trump left the game to return to Washington at halftime, with Georgia leading 13-0, missing the Crimson Tide’s thrilling comeback led by backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

“It was truly a win for the ages,” Trump said. “I don’t know if you know, but I was there.”

He added, “It will go down as one of the most exciting finishes in college football history — of any sport.”

“I was watching,” Trump declared, even though he had not tweeted about the game after it was over or publicly commented on it. “I said, ‘Coach, it’s not looking too good.’ Down 13-0 at halftime to a great Georgia team; the champions fought back as they did all season long.”

Trump mentioned a number of Alabama players by name, including starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who, the president said, “displayed amazing poise and leadership.” Of Alabama’s defense, Trump said, “You beat opposing offenses into submission. You flat out made them quit. They quit.”

After a beat, Trump smiled and added, “We’re doing that to a lot of people, too.”

Trump told Saban he could sell his secret to winning “and make a lot of money, ” and he concluded his remarks by saying “Roll Tide” before introducing the coach.

Saban, in his own remarks, thanked Trump and the team captains presented him with a jersey with the number 17 and TRUMP printed on the back. The group smiled and posed for pictures, and the president put his arm around Saban’s wife, Terry, who joined them on the podium.

But perhaps the biggest compliment Trump offered came at the start of his remarks when he called the players “extraordinary” and predicted, “They’re going to be very rich, very rich.”