The Georgia Bulldogs should expect an invitation from President Joe Biden to celebrate the team’s latest college football title, the White House said late Wednesday.
A Biden administration official said the president “looks forward to welcoming” the team to the White House after an uproar over a possible snub. Still, the timing of any visit is still being worked out and a Biden Administration spokeswoman said more information is forthcoming.
The Bulldogs’ invitation came after a number of Georgia fans and Republican politicians – and at least one standout player – criticized the president for not immediately extending the invitation to the back-to-back champions.
“No invite to the White House is crazy @POTUS,” star defensive lineman Warren Brinson posted on Twitter.
His complaint went viral Tuesday after Fox News picked up it. Soon, Attorney General Chris Carr joined the fray, urging Biden to “step up” and welcome the team to Washington.
Come on, @POTUS! This isn’t right. You snubbed @universityofga last year and now you’re doing it again? No more COVID excuses. Step up and invite the back-to-back national champions to the @WhiteHouse! #GoDawgs @UGAAthletics https://t.co/KfsowZeqhZ
— Chris Carr (@ChrisCarr_Ga) February 22, 2023
He’s not the only one. After the team didn’t get an invite last year, Georgia’s congressional delegation sent a letter in January urging the White House to honor the NCAA winners with a celebration “at your earliest convenience.”
“It is our hope that this repeat championship team can join the many teams prior that have been honored by the President,” wrote the bipartisan group.
Credit: Jason Getz / AJC
Credit: Jason Getz / AJC
There are political implications, too, in a state that Biden carried by fewer than 12,000 votes. Republican operative Brian Robinson, a rabid Georgia fan, noted that it would be smart politics for Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to repeat their call for a reception.
“And soon,” he added. “Once spring practice starts, Coach Kirby Smart won’t allow more celebrations.”
While Biden has hosted championship winning professional teams to the White House, including the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Braves, college teams haven’t been so lucky since COVID-19 restrictions lifted at the White House last year.
Biden tweeted last April shortly after the end of the NCAA basketball tournament that he looked forward to hosting the two winning teams at the White House.
But it appears that neither the Kansas Jayhawks men’s team, nor the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s squad, have made it to Washington yet, either.
Celebrations don’t always happen shortly after a victory, though. The Braves’ White House party came nearly a year after their World Series championship in 2021.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
