President Donald Trump welcomed Clemson University’s NCAA champion football team to the White House Lawn on Monday afternoon, honoring their victory and calling it one “for the ages.”
The Clemson Tigers won the national championship in January with a thrilling 35-31 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers were down 14-0 almost halfway through the game, but roared back in an unbelievable performance and managed to take back the championship in the last minute of the game.
Trump says it was one of the greatest games he ever watched.
Trump praised them, saying “you gave America an incredible game, that will go down in the record books as one of the hardest fought, and probably one of the most exciting games ever played.”
He shook hands with star quarterback Deshaun Watson and receiver Hunter Renfrow, who caught the winning touchdown with one second remaining.
Trump told Renfrow, “You’re so lucky you caught that ball.”
To Watson he said, “He’s going to be a great NFL player.” Deshaun Watson signed a contract to play for the Houston Texans this Spring, and Texans’ owner flew him to the event to make sure he didn’t miss the special moment.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney also had a few words of encouragement and wisdom for his team after their unbelievable performance.
“Life is not about those [big] moments. Life is truly about how we live in between the moments.” He added “it’s the daily focus and purpose and commitment and attitude that you choose to embrace every single day in between those moments.”
Trump was joined by a large contingent of Clemson fans on the South Lawn, along with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and members of the state’s congressional delegation.
John Perry for NTD Television