NCAA champion Clemson Tigers visit Trump at White House

The Clemson Tigers football team was honored by President Trump at the White House's South Lawn on Monday afternoon for the team's second championship win in its 121-year-old history.

Guests included Republican lawmakers from South Carolina such as Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham. Newly elected South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster was also in attendance -- he received a personal word of appreciation from the president.

"Hello everybody," Mr. Trump said in his opening remarks. "Mr. Governor, how are you? We campaigned long and hard together. Right? That worked out well, and you became governor...Don't forget. He endorsed me when it wasn't exactly in vogue to do that, so I remember."

Late Monday evening, Mr. Trump tweeted a congratulations to the team:

Most of the Clemson players, some still on the team and some not, were present for the day-trip to the nation's capital.

Mr. Trump addressed the athletic talent who made the trek to the White House, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive lineman Carlos Watkins, big stars from last season who were recently drafted by the Houston Texans.

Several of the stars were invited to the podium mid-ceremony to shake hands with Mr. Trump as he stood with Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney and university President James Clements.

The president lauded Clemson University's academic performance, suggesting to the players and students that they had the skills and achievement necessary to be successful in life after college.

"I think one of the folks behind me has a really good chance of standing where I am today as a future president of the United States," Mr. Trump said. "They have that tremendous, incredible talent. More than just athletic talent."

Swinney and Clements presented the president a customized jersey for him and his son Barron. Swinney thanked the president for his hospitality and wished him an early happy birthday. Mr. Trump turns 71 years old on Wednesday.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Mr. Trump mingled with several South Carolina Republicans including Scott, Graham, McMaster, Rep. Jeff Duncan and others.

Clemson's visit marks the second time that the college's football team has visited the White House to be honored by the commander-in-chief.

In the spring of 1982, the Tigers dropped by Pennsylvania Avenue and met with former President Ronald Reagan after clinching the team's first championship in the Orange Bowl, beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 22-15.

The win that secured the Tigers a ticket to the White House in 2017 was a nail-biter, which the president made note of, calling it "a victory that was willed."

In the last six seconds of the 2016-2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, the Tigers scored a late touchdown to top the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31.

The tradition of honoring sports teams at the White House, according to ESPN analysis, dates back to President Andrew Johnson in 1865. That year, Johnson welcomed the Brooklyn Atlantics and Washington Nationals to the White House, two competitive amateur baseball clubs at the time.

While Clemson's visit went without political incident, another White House visit was not without controversy. In April, at least six members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots decided to skip the visit because they disagree with the policies of the Trump administration. 

In:
• Tim Scott
• White House
• Lindsey Graham