This was never supposed to happen. We added it to to the list because it was the most impossible thing we could think of.
2 weeks ago we returned to DC to speak to a youth group and Reggie came through on his offer of a tour. “Be there at 1:00 pm” the email said.
It’s noon. We have an hour. Even if we had more time, I’m sure we’d be late.
We’re dressed like schmucks. We rent suits for $90 and race to the White House. Dave spills soy sauce all over himself and has to spend 15 minutes in the bathroom cleaning up.
The guard laughs at us when we arrive at the West Wing Appointment Gate out of breath. “No way, guys! Sorry. Not today” We explained that we were supposed to be there this time and he eventually calls us forward. “Passports, IDs, SSNs, put everything on the table.” We do.
We exit the security bunker and walk out on the White House lawn. 500 feet in front of us is the West Wing. Now we laugh. We take our seats in the lobby next to the Congressmen, a New York Times reporter and diplomats. Duncan asks for a box of Presidential M&Ms.
Soon Reggie arrives. We are awestruck. He walks us through his office (the Oval Office) and onto the lawn again as we stroll through the gardens. “I gotta show you guys the courts’, he says.
We enter the White House courts. They’re pristine, we can’t believe we’re here. “Let’s see if you guys can play” Reggie says as he grabs the one Obama signature Spalding basketball.
I get a call from my friend Jeff. He is a political buff and knows the White House inside out. I tell him where we are. “You’re kidding me!? You’re joking!? This is.. this is.. a joke?”
“No” I begin to explain, “This is no joke. This is the real deal. We’re getting a tour of the grounds.”
“Are you playing… Him?”
“No man, we’re just shooting around with Reggie and…” But before I could finish..
“Oh my God. Holy s*#@…”
“Looks like we’ve got some company boys” Reggie says.
“Oh my God, it’s the President.”
From the opposite side of the court President Obama strides casually towards us. He’s smiling, “How’s it going guys?”
Total silence.
“I heard about your project and thought the least I could do was come down and shoot a few hoops with you guys. I’m in them middle of this little health care thing but I have time for a few shots. I heard you guys help some folks, I think that’s a wonderful thing.”
The next fifteen minutes are ours to savor. We asked the President what he wanted to do before he died and he laughed, ‘I’ve always wanted to be an announcer on Sports Center.’
#95: Play Ball With Obama is off the list.
i love these boys so much they made an idea in to a movement. thats inspiring.
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