President Barack Obama was at home in Philadelphia on Thursday, cracking jokes on “Deflategate” and former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to an appreciative audience of democratic lawmakers.
Speaking at the annual House Democratic retreat, Obama referenced the most recent NFL controversy ahead of the Superbowl on Sunday.
“I want to just remind the New England and Pacific Northwest contingents — this is the city of brotherly love, so regardless of what you think about Sunday, I want you all to keep it clean,” Obama said.
He was then interrupted by Rep. Joe Crowley, who shouted from the audience, “Bring your own balls!”
Obama asked if the congressman was a Giants fan, and Crowley replied that he supports the Jets.
“I was gonna say,” Obama added with a smile, noting the Jets place as rivals of the Patriots, “that’s why he’s so resentful.”
The Patriots have been accused of deflating their footballs during the AFC Championship game, prompting calls for them to be barred from playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday.
An NFL investigation did confirm 11 of the 12 footballs used during the first half of the game were under-inflated, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have denied any involvement.
Obama has yet to weigh in formally on the scandal, and White House press secretary Josh Earnest previously said the administration plans to stay out of it.
But they have no qualms about wading into the nascent 2016 presidential fight. Obama took a not-so-veiled jab at Romney, who has expressed interest in yet another presidential run and has indicated he’ll focus on proposals to combat poverty if he does make a third go of it.
Romney was felled in 2012 in part because he was perceived as wealthy and out of touch with average Americans, and Obama joined a chorus of skeptics on Thursday night in commenting on a former presidential candidate’s “sudden” concern about poverty.
“We’ve got a former presidential candidate on the other side who suddenly is just deeply concerned about poverty. That’s great! Let’s go! Come on, let’s do something about it,” Obama said, incredulously.
“I am glad that their rhetoric at least has shifted, but let’s make sure that the policies match up to the rhetoric,” he said.