Happy President's Day From The Pats Corner

Over the decades, the Patriots have woven themselves into the cultural fabric of New England and the nation, from multiple Super Bowl appearances to recognition by U.S. presidents. Visiting the White House has been a tradition for championship teams, and the Patriots have taken part in such ceremonies, receiving honors and celebrating their achievements with heads of state.

Visit with President George W. Bush

After their early Super Bowl victories in the early 2000s, the Patriots were invited to the White House by President George W. Bush. These visits celebrated the team’s championships in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and became something of a tradition, with Bush greeting the players in the Rose Garden and congratulating them for their success. Around 36 players attended in 2004, and about 30 also participated in 2005. The events were cordial and highlighted mutual admiration between the administration and the team.

Visit with President Barack Obama

After the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX win, the team visited the White House in April 2015 to meet Barack Obama. This visit drew a fairly large turnout of players, staff, coaches and owners. Obama joined Patriots leaders, including head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, for group photos and engaged warmly with the team on the South Lawn. Reports suggest that around 50 people from the organization were present, and the event included charitable gestures such as a stop to visit wounded service members earlier in the day.

Visit with President Donald Trump

Following the Patriots’ Super Bowl LI championship, they made a customary visit to the White House to meet Donald Trump in 2017. While President Trump greeted the team on the South Lawn and accepted gifts like a jersey with “Trump” and “45” on the back, fewer Patriots players attended this ceremony compared with the Obama-era visit.