It was all shakas and laughs for President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House Tuesday.
Obama presented the Navy football team the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, which goes to the military football team with the best record against other military academies. The Midshipmen beat Air Force and Army this season to capture the trophy for the sixth consecutive season.
The ceremony gave Obama the opportunity to hang loose with a couple of fellow Hawaiians -- Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo and quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada.
The president got a few laughs by giving the "shaka" hang loose sign in the middle of the ceremony, and he talked about how Kaheaku-Enhada seemed relaxed, easygoing and calm under pressure while leading the Mids.
"That's the Hawaiian spirit," Obama said. "That's how we roll."
Obama also commented on the Mids' unofficial motto: "No Excuses, Nobody Cares."
"That is my wife Michelle's motto for me also," Obama quipped.
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After the ceremony Obama asked for the Navy helmet that the team brought for him. He took it and wondered aloud whether it would fit, and then said, "There's a rule for presidents that you never put anything on your head."
Never heard that rule before? Think Michael Dukakis...
