WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is honoring the national champion Ohio State football team, taking just a little bit of credit for the new playoff system that the Buckeyes mastered.
Ohio State won the first College Football Playoff in January, beating Oregon in the title game.
Obama noted that he first supported a playoff to determine college football’s national champion during his first campaign for the White House, in 2008. He jokingly talked about throwing his political weight behind the idea.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer thanked the president, noting that the Buckeyes probably wouldn’t have been eligible to play for the title under the previous system.
More than 200 guests and dignitaries packed the White House East Room for Monday’s ceremony, including former Ohio State players Archie Griffin and Cris Carter.