By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

 

The Steelers celebrated their Super Bowl XL victory with a visit to the White House in Washington, D.C. on Friday.

 

Steelers players, coaches and front office personnel enjoyed a guided tour of the White House and then took part in a ceremony led by President George W. Bush.

 

The celebration was held in the East Room of the White House, and the players were greeted by chants of "Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go," as they entered.

 

President Bush congratulated the team and the Rooney family for their accomplishments this season and compared their fight to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl to the political battle he faced.

 

"Halfway through the season, a lot of people counted the Pittsburgh Steelers out; said you don't have a chance," said President Bush. "I kind of know the feeling."

 

Bush had some lighthearted words during the ceremony, including joking about head coach Bill Cowher's facial expressions on the sidelines.

 

"I think Mr. President can say whatever he wants about anybody," said a smiling Cowher afterwards. "I was honored he said it with a smile on his face."

 

For everyone the day was a humbling experience and one they will remember for a lifetime.

 

"Being here has been awesome," said running back Jerome Bettis. "Not only did we get to meet the President, but we got an opportunity to see part of American history. We had a tour and I think a lot of us were enlightened about our history."

 

Cowher, who was accompanied by his wife Kaye, also enjoyed the day.

"This was a special group. It was a special year," said Cowher. "Coming here for this opportunity to meet the President is a special moment. He is a man with great responsibility and I have great admiration for. For all of us it will be a day we will always remember.

 

"This was my first time to the White House. It was a special day and we'll have a special night for the ring ceremony and we'll put this year behind us. Right now it's great to be able to reflect and enjoy the moment."

 

Steelers president Art Rooney, II presented President Bush with a Steelers number 43 jersey with Bush on the back, as he is the country's 43rd President. Wide receiver Hines Ward gave the President a football signed by the entire team, which he then tossed back to Ward.

 

"It was very accurate," said Ward. "It had a nice spiral to it."

Many local political leaders were also on hand, including United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan (pictured with Super Bowl Trophy below), Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato and former Pennsylvania governor Richard Thornburgh.

Also in attendance was the new head of the CIA, General Michael Hayden, a Pittsburgh native who is a close friend of the Rooney family and a diehard Steelers fan.

Bush singled out some players during the ceremony, including Casey Hampton, who played at the University of Texas and lifted weights with Hampton in the past.

 

"Coach and I were teasing Casey earlier," said Ward. "We told him that Mr. President wouldn't remember him. But Casey and Mr. President are closer than we thought. After he acknowledged him, Casey said I told you so."

 

Players mingled with those in attendance following the ceremony, signing autographs and taking pictures. Bettis posed with many fans, but his teammates also pulled out their cameras and had their picture taken with him as well.

 

Overall it was an amazing experience that the players were thrilled to have the chance to participate in.

 

"It's was an honor to be here," said Roethlisberger. "Growing up you watch other teams come here to meet the President. To finally be a part of that is quite an honor.

 

"It's a part of history. Being in a place so many Presidents have lived in and all the decisions that have been made here, it was amazing to be here."

 

The Steelers boarded a charter flight to Pittsburgh immediately following the White House ceremony.

 

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Several players made a trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center before the White House tour. Bettis, Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Jerame Tuman, Max Starks and Antwaan Randle El all went and visited military members who were injured in battle before heading to the White House.

 

"It's important for us to appreciate what they are doing and the sacrifices that they have made for us and the opportunities that have been given to us," said Bettis. "It was an awesome experience to visit Walter Reed and visit soldiers. It was a special moment."