President Obama Hits Patriots With Deflate Gate Jab at White House
You know President Obama wasn't going to let the opportunity to jab the New England Patriots about their Deflate Gate scandal slide.
Honoring the Patriots at the White House on Thursday for their 2014-15 season Super Bowl victory, the Commander-in-Chief said that he usually likes to joke with championship teams at these type of ceremonies, but that he's worried that "11 out of 12 might fall flat," as reported by ESPN.
Of course, it was a reference to Deflate Gate, in which the Patriots were accused of deflating footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts so that they were easier to grip, throw and catch in New England's frigid late-January weather.
After Obama made the comment, he looked back at Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who smiled and gave the president a thumbs-down gesture.
"That whole story got blown a little out of proportion," Obama added.
Obama also joked that it was nice to see Belichick dressed up before offering him scissors just in case he wanted to cut off the sleeves of his suit.
He also advised Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to keep his shirt on.
"[Gronkowski] asked me what would happen if he took it off," Obama said. "I said the Secret Service probably wouldn't like it. He said, 'What could they do to me?'"
Darrelle Revis, who helped lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl win but re-signed with the New York Jets the next month in March, joined New England at the White House. Pats star quarterback Tom Brady wasn't present at the White House due to family obligations.
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(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
