President Joe Biden welcomed the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics to the White House Thursday afternoon, congratulating them on winning their NBA-record 18th title.
Boston became world champions after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in a 4-1 series victory. Their visit featured stars like Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, All- Star forward Jayson Tatum and veteran guard Jrue Holiday.
The Celtics presented their championship trophy, preceded by a No. 46 Biden jersey they gifted to the president.
Biden gave a typical spiel around championship winners, quoting former Celtics head coach and executive Red Auerbach, who was instrumental in the Celtics’ 16 championships from 1957 to 1986.
“The Celtics aren’t just a basketball team; they’re a way of life,” Biden said. “Passion, loyalty and the first team mentally, full of heart, guts and faith.”
However, Biden’s speech slowly became a recognition of the Celtics’ social justice initiatives and community service away from their sport.
“To fight injustice, to expand education, to register voters, deliver health care to infants and mothers, and so much more — it matters what you do,” Biden said.
The president referenced the first NBA champions to visit the White House, when John F. Kennedy congratulated the 1963 Celtics after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
“It’s part of that wonderful tradition to celebrate and admire sports to bring people together,” Biden said. “It’s a tradition that I have the honor to continue. No matter the sports, 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.”
It was a message of recognizing the good in humanity, as well as the power in unity that fuels winning. As he closed, the president ended with a message of continuing grace and persistence, especially in the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election.
“When we get knocked down, we get back up,” Biden said. “The character to keep going and keep the faith — that’s the Celtics’ way of life. That’s sports. And that’s America.”
As we celebrate Thanksgiving next week, that value is something truly to be grateful for in America. We just have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America, and there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. God bless you, and may God protect our troops.”
Meanwhile, the Celtics head back to Boston to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their Friday victory over the Washington Wizards improved them to 13-3 in the early, second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Howard University News Service
