Bush visits with Chiefs at training camp

Monday, August 23, 2004

Associated Press

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- For a brief time, some of the Kansas City Chiefs were fans, rather than the stars of the show.

That's what happens when the President of the United States stops by to say hello.

Wide-eyed Chiefs players with mobile phones or digital cameras snapped pictures and lined up to shake President Bush's hand Wednesday when he stopped at the team's training camp in River Falls during a campaign swing through Wisconsin.

The 25-minute stop included a brief game of catch between Bush and quarterback Trent Green.

The president left the camp with footballs signed by Carl Peterson, Dick Vermeil and some players.

Peterson, the Chiefs' president/general manager, and coach Vermeil are avid Bush supporters.

''I certainly don't think he hurt his chances (to gain some votes) today,'' Peterson said. ''If there were some people on the fence, I think they got off the fence.''

However, Vermeil did not make the meeting mandatory.

''We probably have some Democrats on the team,'' Vermeil said.

Still, the prevailing feeling was that, politics aside, it was a rare chance to meet the president.

''It doesn't happen every day,'' Peterson said, ''and it doesn't happen to most people in their lifetime.''

The Bush campaign called the Chiefs on Tuesday afternoon to arrange the stop, which was timed perfectly because no workout was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

In his introductory remarks, Peterson alluded to the White House visit the Super Bowl champions will make next winter.

''Let's hope that in early winter, like in February, you are where you're supposed to be and we're where we're supposed to be and we can come and do this again,'' Peterson told Bush.

Bush didn't talk football, instead thanking those players who are involved in community service.

Bush did say he remembered running back Priest Holmes well from Holmes' days at the University of Texas.

''It was an experience I caught on tape and on camera,'' Holmes said.

''I was glad to be part of this day. It meant a lot to me just because of my father being over in Iraq and knowing the whole connection of him serving our country.''

When Bush was finished speaking, players jockeyed for position to get a handshake or a picture.

Injured tight end Billy Baber made a push to the front, despite being on crutches, to have Bush sign a copy of the 9/11 commission's report

The meeting was interrupted briefly when Bush and Green played catch at about 8 yards.

When a reporter asked Bush what he thought about the Chiefs, and the president waved off the question but then said, ''I know the coach. He's a great man.''

Vermeil met Bush at a stop in Pennsylvania during the 2000 presidential campaign.

The coach was asked whether the Chiefs would invite Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry if he wanted to visit camp.

''Not necessarily,'' Vermeil said with a smile.

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