Obama invites Giants to celebrate Super Bowl win at White House... but can he echo their double triumph in November?

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:

President Barack Obama and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin share the same goal - getting back to the White House next year.

Obama honored the Super Bowl champions on Friday, noting the similarities between the Giants' 2008 championship and its most recent triumph.

The team presented Obama with a blue No. 44 jersey with his name on it and a football signed by the players.

Tribute: President Barack Obama holds a New York Giants jersey with his name on it as he stands with the team's players Zak DeOssie (left), Justin Tuck (second from right) and Eli Manning (right)

Tribute: President Barack Obama holds a New York Giants jersey with his name on it as he stands with the team's players Zak DeOssie (left), Justin Tuck (second from right) and Eli Manning (right)

'They ended up winning with a circus catch in the fourth quarter, MVP performance by Eli Manning ... a come-from-behind win over the Patriots. So this is all starting to sound kind of like deja vu all over again,' Obama said.

In his speech, Coughlin injected some political references for a president in the heart of a re-election campaign, telling his team and guests on the South Lawn that he hoped coming back to the White House 'was not a twice-in-a-lifetime experience.'

'We both have a goal to get back here next year. We have a lot of work to do,' Coughlin said to cheers and a pat on the back from Obama.

Coughlin noted that his team overcame a 7-7 start to win their final two regular-season games and win the NFC East.

Honored: U.S. President Barack Obama spoke in front of 2012 Super Bowl champions New York Giants at a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

Honored: U.S. President Barack Obama spoke in front of 2012 Super Bowl champions New York Giants at a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

'Again': An audience watches as Obama discusses similarities between the team's 2008 and 2012 wins

'Again': An audience watches as Obama discusses similarities between the team's 2008 and 2012 wins

The Giants won four postseason games, capped by a 21-17 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

'Offense, defense and special teams doing their job. Each group having different objectives and motives but playing in harmony for each other, for the good of everyone. Wouldn't it be nice if Congress operated the same way?' Coughlin said, drawing a smile from Obama, who has frequently clashed with House Republicans.

'Experience': As the players presented Obama with a jersey with his name on it and a signed football, they said they hope to return to the White House after another win in the futue

'Experience': As the players presented Obama with a jersey with his name on it and a signed football, they said they hope to return to the White House after another win in the futue

Obama also got into the act, reminding the team that it watched a highlight reel the night before the Super Bowl set to defensive end Justin Tuck's good-luck music: Phil Collins' 1980s song, 'In the Air Tonight.'

'I don't know about a little Phil Collins before a big game,' Obama said. 'I may try that before a big meeting with Congress.'

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