The guest list of dignitaries eager to see the Celtics’ Thursday was so long that the ceremony was moved outside to the South Lawn to accommodate the crowd of about 500. Many were in suits and dresses, but there was also plenty of Celtics gear in the crowd. Sen. Ed Markey, for one, had a Celtics scarf draped around his neck on this chilly fall evening.
“The [Celtics] are a part of my life, they’re a part of the life of the city of Boston, of Massachusetts,” Markey said, “and today the whole country recognizes the excellence.”
The Celtics emerged from the White House just after 4:30 p.m. as the Marine Band played the Dropkick Murphy’s song “I’m Shipping up to Boston,” a familiar TD Garden anthem. After the team took a place on a riser behind a podium, President Joe Biden was introduced along with Celtics lead owner Wyc Grousbeck.
“You’re the Celtics, right?” Biden said, smiling. “The Boston Celtics.”
Biden ran down a list of the franchise’s accomplishments, pointing out that their 18 championships are the most in NBA history.
“All of you might not know this, but my Secret Service name is ‘Celtic,’ for real, because I’m Irish,” Biden said. “Everybody behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy. From this old, Irish Celtic to all you Celtics, congratulations.”
Biden acknowledged some Massachusetts luminaries in attendance, including Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu.
“We got half the damn Congress here,” Biden quipped.
He also rehashed the Celtics’ path through last season’s playoffs. He pointed out that the team “dominated Dallas” in the NBA Finals and said that Joe Mazzulla was the youngest championship coach since Celtics legend Bill Russell won one as a player/coach in 1966.
“I know it wasn’t easy,” Biden said. “You came close more than once, but you put in the work and you clocked one of the greatest seasons ever.”
After his brief remarks, Biden welcomed Grousbeck to the podium and joked that the Celtics owner prepared a 40-minute speech for the interested but also shivering onlookers.
“Really, Wyc, congratulations, man,” Biden said. “You’ve got a hell of a ball club.”
Grousbeck spoke about the Celtics’ win as well as their impact in the community, referencing the team’s contributions to more than 2,000 charities last year. After Grousbeck’s speech, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White presented Biden with a personalized No. 46 Celtics jersey as well as a commemorative basketball with a personalized inscription to Biden.
Biden held the ball and showed the Celtics his jab step before tossing it to Al Horford. When Biden stepped down from the stage after the ceremony he threw the ball to someone in the crowd.
Parts of the visit took place behind closed doors. Grousbeck said he posed for a selfie with Biden, Mazzulla and Grousbeck’s wife, Emilia, with Biden serving as the photographer. Co-owner Steve Pagliuca said he took off his championship ring and slid it onto the finger of Biden’s 4-year-old grandson, Beau.
White said that when he saw a Secret Service agent sharing White House stories with Jaylen Brown, he walked over and joined the audience.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” White said. “I was just kind of looking forward to it, and when we walked in I was, like, a lot more excited than I thought I’d be . . . And the apple cider was unbelievable.”
Biden gave the Celtics a brief tour of the Oval Office at the end of the visit. When most of the team contingent left to return to their hotel, a smaller group that included president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and Pagliuca stayed behind to meet with White House staffers about Celtics community initiatives focused on addressing racial injustice and social inequities.
“This was a very exciting and moving day,” Grousbeck said. “We have not been focused on this [visit]. We got through the banner and opening night and then it was all business, led by Joe [Mazzulla] . . . Having said that, everyone here, including Joe, really seemed to have a great time.”
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.
Source: politics.einnews.com…
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