Super Bowl XL Champion Steelers Update.

Steelers Visit the White House

In the give-and-take world of politics, President Geroge Bush completed a short pass to Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, only to receive a football autographed by the entire Steelers team in return.

Bush welcomed the Steelers to the East Room of the White House Friday in honor of their 21-10 victory in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 in Detroit.

The event was moved indoors due to humid weather.

"You had a ring for every finger, now you have one for the thumb," the president said with the team lined up behind him.

Bush stood beside Steelers owner Dan Rooney, team president Art Rooney II, coach Bill Cowher and wide receiver Hines Ward.

The President shook hands with Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton, the former Texas standout who used to lift weights with Bush when he served as Texas governor.

The event also was attended by a host of state, county and city officials. "It sounds like some people have been drinking Iron City Beer here," the President said as he entered the room amid the familar chant, "Here we go Steelers."

Art Rooney II handed the president a No. 43 Steelers jersey, signifying his place as the nation's 43rd commander in chief.

The president also extended a warm welcome to outspoken Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, who made news when he said he had something to tell the president about his high taxes.

The president told Porter he had "a swagger," and Porter broke into a smile behind his gold-plated sunglasses.

Porter shook his head side to side when the president asked if he'd teach him his dance. (Thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for the heads up.)