Boston Celtics visit President Biden at White House to celebrate 18th championship
"I feel a special pride in this trophy for this old Irish Celtic. To all you Celtics: Congratulations.”
The Boston Celtics traveled to the White House on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden and celebrate the team’s 18th NBA championship.
The 2023-24 Celtics roster, coaching staff, and ownership group were on hand at the South Lawn for Thursday’s event. Even Oshae Brissett, who is no longer on Boston’s roster, was on hand for the event and received his championship ring.
After the Celtics lined up on the stage, President Biden opened the festivities with an address.
“All of you may not know this, but my Secret Service name is Celtic. For real, because I’m Irish,” Biden said. “Everybody behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy for this old Irish Celtic. To all you Celtics: Congratulations.”
“You all know what the great Red Auerbach said,” Biden continued. “He said the Celtics aren’t just a basketball team, they’re a way of life. They’re a way of life. Passion, loyalty, first-team [mentality], full of heart, guts, and faith. We see from you, the ownership group, the executives, the coaches, essentially coach Joe [Mazzulla].
“I used to like Joe. Joe’s the youngest head coach to win a title since the Great Bill Russell. I told him, I used to be the youngest. Now, I’m the oldest. I like being the youngest better.”
Biden then chronicled Boston’s impressive run to an 18th title.
“Together, you guys built one of the deepest teams of all time,” Biden said. “Incredible players, led by Jayson [Tatum] and Jaylen [Brown] and Derrick [White] and Jrue [Holiday], Big Al [Horford]. I know it wasn’t easy. … You put in the work. You clocked one of the greatest seasons ever. 64 wins — the best record in the league last year.
“More points per possession than any team in NBA history. Through the playoffs — beating the Heat in five, Cavs in five, the Pacers in four. Then you dominated Dallas on both ends of the floor. And now that 18th championship banner hangs in the rafters. With the start of the new season, you’re hungry for more.”
Biden also concluded with a history lesson, noting that it was John F. Kennedy who was the first president to host an NBA champion when the Celtics visited in 1963.
“Part of that wonderful tradition celebrating the power of sports to bring people together. It’s a tradition that I’ve had the honor to continue. No matter the sport. What these champions all have in common are core values … Hard work, teamwork, respect, and the knowledge that no one of us is ever as good as all of us can be when we’re together.”
After a few comments from Celtics primary owner Wyc Grousbeck, Jayson Tatum presented Biden with his own custom No. 46 Celtics jersey. Boston also had a custom Celtics jersey for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Both Grousbeck and Biden also lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy on stage for a photo as the United States Marine Band played Queen’s “We Are The Champions”.
You can watch the full ceremony here:
Tatum shared his thoughts ahead of the team’s visit to the White House following Tuesday’s NBA Cup win over the Cavaliers.
“I think it’ll be cool. It’s one of the perks of being a champion is going to the White House,” Tatum said Tuesday. “So we’ll have that moment and take pictures and videos, and something that lasts a lifetime.”
“I think it’s gonna be fun,” White added during the same presser. “I mean, that’s something that growing up you see teams that won championships go to the White House and just kind of celebrate that moment together. Just gonna be one of those teams that won a championship and then go to the White House and to celebrate with a great team and great people. It’s gonna be fun.”
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