Kings, Galaxy Get Champions' Welcome At White House
WASHINGTON (CBSLA.com/AP) — For the second time in three seasons, President Barack Obama honored the Kings and the Galaxy in the nation's Capitol.
In a joint ceremony Monday in the East Room of the White House, Obama said that while he may be resentful as a Chicago sports fan, he has to give credit to Los Angeles for producing two championship teams.
"Today feels a little like Groundhog Day," said Obama. "If you're feeling a little déjà vu, you're not alone."
The Kings won hockey's Stanley Cup last season for the second time in three years, while the Galaxy celebrated their fifth Major League Soccer Cup championship in December.
Obama says Los Angeles has an "embarrassment of riches" in sports and that he's especially impressed that a city with the climate that Los Angeles has can turn into a hockey town.
"The Kings have done the unthinkable -- they have turned a city with no snow and no ice and no winter into a hockey town complete with an outdoor game in Dodger Stadium," he said.
The Kings in turn presented Obama with a silver hockey stick, including a personalized inscription.
The president also took a moment to recognize Galaxy star Robbie Rogers as the MLS league's first openly gay player, who Obama said has "inspired a whole lot of folks here and around the world".
He wished both teams the best of luck "when you are not playing Chicago."
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