This week, the Tampa Bay Lightning was honored at the White House for winning the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cups in the National Hockey League (NHL).
“At the risk of stating the obvious here, it’s a pretty good time to be a sports fan in Tampa,” said President Joe Biden. “I don’t know what the hell you have in the water down there…the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, the Rays won the pennant, and these guys behind me became back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.
“With your victory last season, this team joined rare company. One of only eight teams over the last century to win two Stanley Cups in a row. In the last century. And I know that those two championships were very different,” Biden added.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and WWE superstar Titus O’Neil attended the event.
“What’s better than celebrating the Lightning’s Stanley Cup victory at the White House? Celebrating back-to-back Stanley Cup wins at the White House! The Bolts have unified our community throughout the pandemic, and we can all be proud of their grit, determination and commitment to serving the Tampa Bay area. They have had a truly electric run over the past few seasons, and we are all rooting them on as we head into the 2022 playoffs in the coming weeks. It’s only fitting that they are honored at the White House today, and it’s fantastic to be joined by my friend and Tampa hero Titus O’Neil at this celebration of Tampa excellence,” said Congresswoman Castor.
“Titus is a true champion inside the ring and out, so I knew he had to represent hometown Tampa when the Bolts are feted at the White House with President Biden and Vice President Harris. Tampa is the City of Champions and Titus embodies that spirit through lifting up students and families in need. Through Titus’ leadership at the Bullard Family Foundation and the work of the Lightning Foundation, families and students across the Tampa Bay area receive direct and crucial assistance every day, including at every Lightning game. He is truly a community champion,” she added.
“It is an incredible privilege and honor to join the Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning at the White House to represent Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is home to sports teams that are not only champions in athletics, but collectively they have created a sports community that lifts up lives and lights up neighborhoods through incredibly generous support and giving. That’s what winning is all about,” said O’Neil.
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