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Sporadic shouts of "Who dat?" sprinkled the East Room as President Obama welcomed the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints to the White House on Monday morning.

Democratic strategist James Carville and Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu were among the Saints fanatics in attendance as a brass band welcomed the team with the requisite rendition of "When The Saints Go Marching In."

In remarks that were more solemn than is typical for a White House championship team reception, the president noted the Saints' unique connection to the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and throughout the Gulf oil spill crisis.

"Look, I'm a Bears fan, I'm not gonna lie, but this was a big win for the country, not just New Orleans," Obama said. "We are very proud of this team."

Saints quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees presented the president with an honorary #44 team jersey. Brees noted that the gift was being bestowed upon 44th president to mark the 44th Super Bowl.

Before arriving at the White House, the Saints players spent the morning at a football clinic with local children. Next on their agenda was a trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit wounded troops.

President Obama shook hands with players and joked about the risky onside kick that the Saints executed successfully at the start of the second half in their Super Bowl victory against the Colts. Turning to Saints owner Tom Benson, Obama asked if he was confident about Coach Sean Payton's decision to attempt the rarely used play.

"I'm glad that thing went alright," Obama said to laughter.

Following the ceremony, the president departed the White House for Texas, where he is scheduled to host a Democratic National Committee fundraiser and speak about higher education in Austin, followed by another fundraiser in Dallas.

After the president departed from the South Lawn on Marine One, Saints offensive lineman Zack Strief greeted reporters at the White House briefing room and handed out samples of a decidedly New Orleans-style breakfast-honey-glazed Gulf shrimp and andouille skewers.