George W. Bush has a building with his name on it opening next year on the Southern Methodist University campus, so it makes sense that the 43rd president of the United States would take some time to visit the university. Heck, he lives only minutes away from the Dallas school.
But that didn't prevent SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert from being surprised when he saw Bush at the Mustangs' practice Tuesday.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the former president was accompanied by secret service agents and briefly met with the team.
"I was a little awestruck at first," Gilbert said. "It was great to meet him and be able to talk to him. He spoke to the team and told us how fortunate we are to be at this university and to be playing football at this university. Sometimes you take stuff like that for granted. It's great to be reminded that we truly are blessed and fortunate to be here."
Bush reportedly posed for pictures and spoke with players and coaches while watching practice with SMU President R. Gerald Turner and athletic director Rick Hart.
Bush, who lives in Preston Hollow, a neighborhood of Dallas, is an avid sports fan who occasionally attends Texas Rangers games in Arlington.
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
