Obama to Saban: Way to go, coach

Published Apr. 15, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

President Barack Obama honored the University of Alabama football team for winning the BCS championships saying the Crimson Tide ''kept on rising to the occasion and they never let up.''

It was Alabama's third championship win during Obama's presidency. The Crimson Tide defeated Notre Dame 42-14 to win the championship in January.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban gave Obama a team jersey Monday at the White House as players and coaches spread out across the mansion's South Balcony. He joked that Obama now had now been presented with a full uniform.

Saban said: ''I will have a meeting later with you to decide how much playing time you're going to get.''

Obama replied: ''I think you should keep me on the bench.''