WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama can appreciate a team overcoming long odds. cheap jerseys from china . Welcoming the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to the White House on Wednesday, Obama took note that some football analysts hadnt seen Seattle as a top-tier team. A die-hard fan of his hometown Chicago Bears, Obama nevertheless said he felt a certain kinship with the overachieving Seahawks. "As a guy who was elected president named Barack Obama, I root for the underdog," the president joked. The Seahawks clinched their first Super Bowl victory in the history of the franchise in February by beating the Denver Broncos 43-8. The distinction for the team and by extension for the NFL came a day after a group of retired players accused the league in a lawsuit of turning a blind eye to the use of painkillers by teams that later led to serious complications. Obama has expressed misgivings about the violence of the sport, saying in an interview with the New Yorker published early this year that if he had a son he would not let him play pro football. Next week, Obama will hold a White House meeting on concussions and sports safety at the White House that will include young athletes, professional athletes, parents, coaches and health experts. In a nod to that controversy, Obama took note of Seahawks owner Paul Allens charitable foundation that has donated millions of dollars to research traumatic brain injuries. "Obviously this is a concern of the NFL, but is also a concern of our troops," Obama said. Obama singled out the teams outspoken cornerback, Richard Sherman, for being a role model to young people. Sherman was born in Compton, California, once a centre of gang activity and a city that suffered from severely underperforming schools. Sherman however was a standout student who attended Stanford University on a scholarship. "If he seems a little brash, its because youve got to have attitude sometimes if you are going to overcome some of this adversity," Obama said. He also recognized Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who many scouts believed would be too small to succeed in the NFL only to set a record for most wins in two first seasons by any quarterback. "He also became only the second African-American quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl," Obama said. "And the best part about it is nobody commented on it, which tells you the progress that weve made, although weve got more progress to make." cheap nfl jerseys . -- Brian Dawkins biggest contribution Sunday in the AFC wild card playoffs will be with his talking and not his tackling. wholesale jerseys . The delighted Vancouver Whitecaps coach was "lost for words" after his club scored three goals in the first 20 minutes en route to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Ned Colletti thought back to last winter, when people kept pestering him. "Youve got eight starting pitchers. What are you going to do with all eight?" the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager recalled everyone asking. "And three weeks in, were on No. 9." Pitching is at a premium already, with teams looking to increase depth for the long season ahead. Pretty much all free agents are going for top dollar this early in baseballs off-season. Tim Lincecum got a $35 million, two-year contract to stay with the San Francisco Giants, who didnt want him going on the open market. Outfielder Marlon Byrd agreed to a $16 million, two-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies this week, a huge increase from the agreement he signed with the New York Mets last winter that wound up earning him $800,000 -- including bonuses. "Its definitely a little scary," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said Wednesday after hearing some of the asking prices. Several agents were on hand for baseballs meetings this week, which included sessions with GMs for the first three days and a full owners gathering on Thursday morning. The courtship process will build heading toward the winter meetings in nearby Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12. Agent Scott Boras, who wants to goad teams into spending more on free agents, criticized the Mets, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for not spending enough and playfully suggested the Tampa Bay Rays seek a more financially benneficial home. nfl jerseys china. "I think theres a lot of cities that may attract them," he said. "Maybe New Jersey would like that winning percentage." After missing the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years, the New York Yankees are in a shopping mode. In addition to trying to retain second baseman Robinson Cano, theyre interested in catcher Brian McCann and outfielder Carlos Beltran, among others. They need pitching, too. But there arent any aces on the free-agent market, so teams could bid up the prices of pitchers projected as a No. 2 or No. 3 on a staff. "I dont think theres any question about that," Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik said. "The market sets itself." Only one agreement was announced Wednesday, with infielder Nick Punto leaving the Dodgers for a $3 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. For the premier players, deals will take more time. How long is unclear. "Theres a certain amount of hesitation on really agent side as well as club side in terms of what the market is and whats going to happen next," Mets GM Sandy Alderson said. "Im sure theres some clubs that are looking to jump in and get something done right away and are prepared to do it under any circumstances, and so thats why I think you may see something over the next week or two. I dont think necessarily you have to wait til the winter meetings. I dont know what effect a late Thanksgiving will have." wholesale jerseys ' ' '
