Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson supported President Barack Obama's election bid a few years ago. So as far as Woodson is concerned, there's no reason the world's best-known Chicago Bears fan can't back the rival Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
Obama, who was in Wisconsin on Wednesday to give a speech on the economy, received a Packers jersey signed by Woodson with the message: "See you at the White House. Go Packers." Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Green Bay Mayor James J. Schmitt greeted Obama at the airport and gave him the Woodson-autographed jersey, as well as another one with the president's name on the back.
"They're rubbing it in," Obama told reporters who traveled with him and witnessed the presentation.
Woodson said he voted for Obama and jokingly suggested that meant the President owed it to him to back the Packers.
"I jumped on his bandwagon a couple years ago and voted for him," Woodson said. "So for him to only go to the Super Bowl because Chicago's there, I thought it's not fair to me. I'm a voter, I'm a taxpayer. So I wanted him to root for the Packers as well."
Obama previously said he would attend the Feb. 6 Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas, if his favorite team made it. Instead, the Packers beat the Bears in Sunday's NFC Championship Game --- and presumably would make the Super Bowl winners' traditional visit to the White House if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers for the title.
Obama isn't exactly rooting for the Packers, but he isn't holding a grudge either.
"In the spirit of sportsmanship, I wish you good luck in the Super Bowl," he said.
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The president then predicted that his team will even the score next season.
"Sunday was a tough day for Bears fans," he said. "But even if it didn't go the way that I wanted, I'm glad to see that one of the greatest rivalries in sports is still there.
"And we will get you next year. I'm just letting you know."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
