Obama welcomes Super Bowl champs Saints

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"The New Orleans Saints marched in to the White House on Monday and got a salute from President Barack Obama for lifting up "the hopes and the dreams of a shattered city" with their Super Bowl win.

Obama welcomed the Saints in an East Room ceremony where he congratulated the players, owner and coaches several months after they beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, for their first ever football championship. Obama said it was unbelievable season for the team after decades of frustration.

"I'm a Bears fan, I'm not going to lie, but this was a big win for the country — not just New Orleans," the president said. He noted that after Hurricane Katrina the Saints had to play an entire season on the road because their home stadium, the Superdome, was ruined in the storm.

"Back then people didn't even know if the team was coming back. People didn't even know if the city was coming back," said Obama.

Now, said the president, "New Orleans and the New Orleans Saints are here to stay."

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Saints sell Gulf Coast seafood to WH journos

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"The best way to attract a gaggle of reporters and photographers?

Celebrities -- and food.

A sudden announcement this morning that members of the New Orleans Saints would be in the White House press room with seafood from the Gulf of Mexico produced a stampede of journalists.

Both the Saints and the White House are helping the Louisiana seafood industry get out the word that the product remains good and tasty, despite the BP oil spill.

"Some of the best shrimp I've ever had," said White House chef Sam Kass, who also popped into the press room.

During this morning's event with the Saints, Obama noted that he and guests had gulf shrimp last night at the White House.

"With the ongoing reopening of Gulf fisheries, we're excited that fishermen can go back to work and Americans can confidently and safely enjoy Gulf seafood once again," Obama said. "We're certainly going to enjoy it here at the White House."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/08/saints-sell-louisiana-seafood-to-wh-journos/1