Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Emotional on Call from President Obama

[RamboLiberal]

Tomlin grew emotional when the subject was broached about the first African-American president's congratulatory telephone call to a professional sports champion --- and, in particular, to the second African-American coach to win a Super Bowl, after his mentor and former boss Tony Dungy of Indianapolis two years ago.

"Just very surreal, a very humbling experience to be a part of that," he said. "It's what you dream about. It's amazing not only as a coach, but just as a citizen.

"I heard very little, very little of what he said. I let him know that. I said, 'Mr. President, I can't hear what you're saying, I appreciate your call, I appreciate your congratulations,' and I handed the phone back to Mr. Dan Rooney."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09033/946400-66.stm

It's going to be so neat to see Mike Tomlin take his team to the White House to meet President Obama! For those who don't know the Steelers played a Monday Night game election eve. Tomlin got back to Pittsburgh about 3am and stayed awake so he could be in line at his polling place at 7am so he could vote for Obama!

[FrenchieCat]

1. Great Story!

Thank you for it.

[Avalux]

2. Dan Rooney publicly thanked Obama last night during the trophy presentation -

Rooney (a former Republican), Tomlin and the team supported Obama through the campaign. I can't wait to see them go to the WH!! :hi:

[Cha]

15. Really!

Yay! I knew I wanted to win!

[TeamJordan23]

3. I also read that Hines Ward said he will be in tears when they meet Obama. nm

[ClarkUSA]

12. Here's the story --->

HELLO MR. PRESIDENT: In addition to being excited about winning his second Super Bowl ring and Pittsburgh's sixth,
Steelers receiver Hines Ward is looking forward to going to the White House to meet President Obama, who picked
Pittsburgh in Sunday's game.

"I've been wanting to meet the president for so long. To get an opportunity to meet him, shake his hand, go to D.C.,
man, I might break down and cry," Ward said. "It's definitely a big honor to be a part of history."

[Cha]

16. Thanks, Hines

Ward gets it:cry::)

[ClarkUSA]

21. Yes. He. Does.

;)

I hope there's tons of media coverage when they all do finally meet.

[Cha]

23. Some things the corporate media

can't ignore when it comes to good news about Obama.

[ClarkUSA]

25. Yup, it's big ratings everytime he's on the screen.

[BeyondGeography]

4. ...

:patriot:

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. What a great moment. It makes me emotional just thinking about it.

[politicasista]

6. How awesome!

I am not a Steelers fan, but I like Coach Tomlin. Saw him arriving during the pre-game and his style and demeanor was like President Obama's. :)

Kudos to Mr. Rooney too. He not only mentioned PO, but took a chance on Coach when other teams passed on him.

Great story, great finish, excellent job by Jennifer Hudson with the National Anthem, and congrats to the Steelers and PA.

After 8 years, going the White House really means something special. Can't wait for the pics.

[Cha]

17. You got that right!

"After 8 years, going the White House really means something special. Can't wait for the pics."

[politicasista]

19. Yep. Especially....

now that there is a president that actually plays some sports, instead of pretending and using it as pathetic photo-ops (i.e. falling off bikes or running with a wounded military vet) or exploiting it for political gain.

If I were an athlete on a championship team the last 8 years, I would have dreaded going to the WH (unless you were a real Bushie :puke:). Now that there is President Obama, the traditional meeting going to DC meeting the POTUS, sound exciting again (even if you didn't vote for him), not just another pay your respects to the POTUS deal.

[Cha]

20. bush should have had a mechanical

Bull installed in the White House to show off his skills.

[politicasista]

22. LOL!

:rofl:

[livetohike]

7. Here we go Steelers

Here we go! :toast:

[brianna69]

8. Fabulous story

Tomlin is the youngest coach to coach a team to a Super Bowl victory. I can't wait to see the Steelers when they go to the White House.

[AtomicKitten]

9. What a great response to a simple gesture by a gracious president. n/t

[Cha]

18. Exactamente~

It's way too coolB-)

[ClarkUSA]

10. Gotta love it! Double whammy for John McCain: first the GE, now the AZ Cardinals.

Then the first words out of the winning team owner's mouth is, "Thank you President Obama..."

How many racists/freepers' heads exploded at that moment? Heh.

[ecstatic]

11. That's why I was rooting against the Cardinals

If AZ had it their way, we would be saying "President McCain." :eyes: Although I felt so sorry for Larry Fitzgerald when they showed the close up of his face after "the catch." I'm usually for the underdog team, but couldn't be this time around.

[ClarkUSA]

13. What's with the snark? I was rooting FOR the Steelers for the same reasons as President Obama.

Fitzgerald's "catch" was nice, but Harrison's 100-yard interception was the best defensive play ever. And if you don't share
my schadenfreude over the thought of John McCain's two-time loserdom and discomfort over Dan Rooney's great words,
then spare me your :eyes: because I don't give a shit.

[politicasista]

24. Congrats to both

Larry Fitzgerald, Santonio Holmes also played a great game too.

[ClarkUSA]

26. Yes, both TEAMS deserve kudos.

Glad you mentioned it.

[politicasista]

29. Thanks

:hi:

[Cha]

14. I don't do football but wanted the

Steelers to win 'cause they came out for Obama during the primaries when we needed it bad..

I kept checking the scores(up and down) and was thrilled by the Steelers' Victory:bounce:

This is just so sweet justice.

[Leo The Cleo]

27. I love MT and BO

Mike Tomlin is my favorite coach in the NFL. The esteem Mr. Smith of the Bears is my second. That fact that Mr. Tomlin has as much esteem for Barack Obama as I have, makes me more proud of him.

[Az_lefty]

28. this is all very heart warming....Tomlin and the Rooney family are great

still wish the Cardinal's had won...maybe next time.