Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Kicker Jeff Reed, left, and nose tackle Casey Hampton join President Bush in the front row of a White House photo opportunity honoring the Super Bowl XL champion Steelers. Hampton, who played football at the University of Texas, used to lift weights at the school with Bush when he was governor of that state. Click photo for larger image. More photos View pictures from the White House ceremony in the Steelers photo journal. Text of remarks by President Bush at the ceremony honoring the Super Bowl XL champions

WASHINGTON -- During a 14-minute ceremony this afternoon at the White House, President Bush lightheartedly compared his plight to that of the Steelers, when they were 7-5 last season.

"Halfway through the season, a lot of people counted the Pittsburgh Steelers out, said you don't have a chance."

Bush paused for effect.

"I kind of know the feeling."

The ceremony to honor the Super Bowl XL champions took place in the East Room of the White House this afternoon. Steelers President Art Rooney presented Bush with a No. 43 black Steelers jersey with his name and the number 43 on the back to honor him for being the 43rd president of the United States. Hines Ward presented Bush with a Super Bowl football autographed by the team.

Pennsylvania Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, attended, as did Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato and former Pennsylvania governor and attorney general Richard Thornburgh.

Also attending along with his family was the new CIA chief, Gen. Michael Hayden, a native of Pittsburgh's North Side. Hayden was once coached in midget football by Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.

"You have no greater fan than the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency," Bush said.

Bush alluded to the Steelers going after a second straight championship next year when he commented, "I'll be around here next year to see you come back."

As the ceremony ended, Bush made a quick pass back to Ward with the football. He shook hands with many of the Steelers standing behind him, and singled out linebacker Joey Porter and nose tackle Casey Hampton. Porter, who joked two weeks ago that he would walk into the White House with a swagger, wore big dark sunglasses during the entire ceremony.

"You got a man known for his swagger," Bush said. "I've been looking forward to Joey Porter's new dance."

Porter smiled, and the two shook hands. Hampton, who played football at the University of Texas, used to lift weights at the school with Bush when he was governor of that state. "You got a Longhorn -- we used to pump iron together," Bush said, prompting a round of laughter from the room. "His took, mine didn't."

The president did commit a faux pas, if you will, when he said he was a fan of the "Texas Cowboys". He quickly amended that to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Steelers filed into the East Room with chants from the crowd of "Here we go, Steelers". The ceremony ended after Bush shook hands and photos were taken and the president finally said. "All right, I'm going back to work."

After the ceremony, Coach Bill Cowher said the visit, which included a tour of the White House for the team and officials, will be "a day we will always remember."

And Ward reviewed the President's passing skills: "One hundred percent very accurate," Ward said with a big smile. "It had a nice spiral to it."