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The Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints visited the White House on Monday, and much like in Madden ’11 Drew Brees presented President Obama with a Saints 44 jersey.  But the Saints also gave Madden ’12 programmers something else to work on as the Saints brought lunch for the White House press corps in the form of a 30-foot po’boy sandwich filled with shrimp and oysters.

The Saints are using the giant sandwich to spread the word that despite the oil spill Gulf Coast seafood is still safe and delicious. “Some of the best shrimp I’ve ever had,” said White House chef Sam Kass.  Obama praised not only the shrimp, but the Saints and head coach Sean Payton.

Obama on Payton:

I must point out, Sean is a Chicago guy. I’m just sayin’, You’ve got to be tough to be a Chicago guy. I make some tough decisions every day, but I never decided on an onside kick in the second half of the Super Bowl. That took some guts.

Obama on the Saints:

Five years ago, this team played its entire season on the road. It didn’t have a home field. The Superdome had been ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Heartbreaking tragedies that unfolded there when it was used as a shelter from the storm lingered all too fresh in a lot of people’s minds.  People didn’t even know if the team was coming back. Not only did the team come back – it took its city’s hands and helped its city back on its feet. Plenty of cities carry their sports teams through a tough season. It’s a rare thing when a sports team carries its city through tough times.

Obama on seafood:

With the ongoing reopening of Gulf fisheries, we’re excited that fishermen can go back to work and Americans can confidently and safely enjoy Gulf seafood once again. We’re certainly going to enjoy it here at the White House.