WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the White House was adorned in green as President Joe Biden, whose secret service code name is “Celtic,” welcomed head coach Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics to the South Lawn in honor of their remarkable achievement of securing the 18th NBA championship.
This tradition, thought to have started when Bill Russell’s Celtics met President John F. Kennedy in 1963, continues with Biden celebrating the team’s triumph as the champions of the NBA for the 2024 season. Remarkably, the Celtics, the most successful franchise in league history, have celebrated championships in eight of the last 13 presidencies.
“The Celtics represent more than just a sports team; they embody a way of life,” Biden expressed to the audience, quoting the team’s legendary figure, Red Auerbach, before being presented with a jersey marked No. 46 by All-Star player Jayson Tatum and guard Derrick White. The president humorously remarked about his code name being “Celtic,” stating, “For real. Because I’m Irish. Everyone behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel immense pride in this trophy. From this old Irish Celtic, to all you Celtics, congratulations.”
Biden, who had once been one of the youngest senators in U.S. history, drew parallels with Mazzulla, who achieved his coaching title at the age of 35. “Joe’s the youngest head coach to win a title since the great Bill Russell,” he noted, adding, “I told him I used to be the youngest and now I’m the oldest. I preferred being the youngest.”
As the Celtics arrived, a band performed “Shipping Up to Boston,” and Biden joined team owner Wyc Grousbeck on the risers facing the iconic Washington Monument, the White House illuminated in vibrant green lights. Notable attendees included Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and nearly the entirety of the state’s congressional delegation.
Jordan White shared his excitement after the event, saying, “I didn’t know what to expect. When I entered, I realized I was way more thrilled than I anticipated. Being in the White House, where significant decisions are made, was the highlight.”
Steve Pagliuca, a Celtics co-owner, mentioned that Biden’s four-year-old grandson, Beau Jr., had tried on his championship ring. Oshae Brissett, who was part of the 2024 team but is not with the Celtics this season, also received his championship ring during the ceremony.
Additionally, Biden was given a commemorative basketball, which he tossed back and forth with a member of the audience. “I wasn’t expecting a pump fake,” White remarked after the event, adding, “Throwing a pass in a suit is a challenge, so I was impressed.”
Well-acquainted with the history of the Celtics, Biden acknowledged their impressive performance last season, during which the team earned 64 wins—their best since claiming the title in 2008—and finished with a playoff record of 16-3, eliminating the Dallas Mavericks in just five games.
Biden even highlighted the ‘24 Celtics’ achievement of having the highest points per possession ratio in NBA history, a stat that had team vice president and statistics guru Mike Zarren beaming with pride. “The basketball stats community has come a long way: the President of the United States is talking about points per possession!” Zarren noted in a post-ceremony statement.
After the celebration, members of the Celtics’ organization returned to the White House to discuss issues close to their hearts with administration officials, including campaigns like “Raise the Age,” which aims for 18-to-20-year-olds to be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system, and “Curbside Care,” which offers medical support to new mothers in underserved regions.
“This was a thrilling and meaningful day,” Grousbeck remarked in a video call post-event. “We hadn’t concentrated on this until now. After the banner was raised and the opening night passed, it was strictly business. Joe (Mazzulla) prefers we focus on the future rather than dwell on past victories. Nevertheless, it seemed that everyone, including Joe, had a fantastic time.”
Zarren also recounted a conversation with a secret service agent who was a Celtics fan and recalled the team’s absence when the Golden State Warriors visited two years prior. “He expressed it was bittersweet—wishing his Celtics were there. They reassured him, ‘Don’t worry, they’ll be here soon,'” Zarren mentioned. “So for him, witnessing the Celtics’ presence was a delightful experience.”