US president Barack Obama has praised reigning Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks after the team visited the White House.
The Seahawks presented Obama with a "12th Man" banner during their visit on Wednesday, which was held in their honour after their crushing win over the Denver Broncos back in February.
Despite being known as a Chicago Bears supporter, Obama hailed the champions, with particular kind words reserved for cornerback Richard Sherman.
He told reporters: "Of course, I don't need to tell you how outstanding the Seahawks are because they did a pretty good job of describing themselves. You may have heard of the 'Legion of Boom'.
"I considered letting Sherman up here to the podium and giving him the mic, but we've got to go in a little bit!
"But seriously, Richard has showed kids from his neighborhood that they could make it. If he seems brash, it's because you have to have attitude sometimes if you're going to overcome adversity."
Obama also had kind words for Russell Wilson, who became only the second African American quarterback to ever win the Super Bowl.
Joe McPhee
