Hockey's L.A. Kings and soccer's L.A. Galaxy were honored during a ceremony at the White House Monday.
President Obama recognized Galaxy star Robbie Rogers for helping blaze a trail as one of professional sports' first openly gay players.
"My guess is that as an athlete Robbie wants to win first and foremost, that's what competition is all about. But Robbie, you've also inspired a whole lot of folks here and around the world and we are very proud of you," Obama said.
Obama also praised the Kings during the ceremony.
"The Kings have done the unthinkable: They’ve turned a city with no snow and no ice and no winter into a hockey town," Obama said. "They’ve done it with a team that L.A. fans have embraced, guys like goalie Jonathan Quick, playoff MVP Justin Williams … Jeff Carter and his hockey smile and, of course, Coach Sutter and his one liners with the press."
The teams shared images and videos on social media from their trip to the White House:
Twitter: LA Kings "This is happening"
The Galaxy are the reigning MLS Cup champions, and have won the cup five times. The Kings collected their second straight Stanley Cup in 2014.
The AP reports that Obama "wished both teams the best of luck 'when you are not playing Chicago.'"
