WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama can appreciate a team overcoming long odds. Cheap Geron Christian Jersey . 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 Tim Settle Jersey . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. Cheap Troy Apke Jersey . Both sides of the deal have formally announced acquisitions: TFC introduced Jozy Altidore as a designated player on Friday, while their counterparts announced a three-and-a-half-year deal with Jermain Defoe. http://www.cheapredskinsjerseyselite.com/?tag=cheap-trey-quinn-jersey .com) - The NBA will be on display overseas Thursday with the New York Knicks taking on the Milwaukee Bucks at O2 Arena in London.CARDIFF -- The Springboks handed tighthead prop Frans Malherbe a test debut and recalled veteran backs Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen for the tour opener against Six Nations champion Wales at Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The 22-year-old Malherbe, from Western Province, replaced Jannie du Plessis, who didnt make the tour because of a chronic shoulder injury and broken hand. Another uncapped player, Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit, was in the reserves. He would have played earlier this season if he hadnt injured his sternum, coach Heyneke Meyer said on Wednesday. There are five changes from the starters who lost an epic match to the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Oct. 5. The centre Fourie last appeared for South Africa at the 2011 World Cup, while Pietersen hasnt been available all year until now. The only other change in the forwards has Flip van der Merwe locking with Eben Etzebeth. "Frans has big boots to fill, but hes been with us for most of 2012 and shown good form since recovering from injury recently, and we dont have any doubts that he has what it takes to make the step uup," Meyer said. Cheap DaRon Payne Jersey. "Hell have two players with more than 50 test caps each next to him in the scrum (Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira), and his general workrate across the field and on defence is very good. Im very happy for Frans." The inclusion of Fourie and Pietersen means all but fullback Pat Lambie, in for Zane Kirchner, in the backline have at least 40 caps. "Were very fortunate to have two world-class players in JP and Jaque and I wanted to get then into the action as soon as possible," Meyer said. "It was clear from our training sessions thus far that they are in great form and ready for test rugby." ------ South Africa: Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malberhe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, JJ Engelbrecht, Willie le Roux. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '