WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack Obama, saying he became a Steelers fan while watching their 1970s team win Super Bowls while he was growing up in Hawaii, greeted Pittsburgh's latest Super Bowl winning team at the White House today.

Obama, referring to Pittsburgh as Six-Burgh in honor of the Steelers' sixth Super bowl victory in February, conducted what he called the most unique visit by a championship team to the White House.

The Steelers players and coaches joined the President and others, including Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, in assembling 3,000 USO care packages that will be sent to the troops overseas.

Wounded veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda) joined them. The president pitched in, moving around and chatting with players for about an hour on the South Portico lawn.

Obama and many from the Steelers party termed the day's events more than the usual photo op of the President greeting another pro sports champion.

"It's an honor," said safety Troy Polamalu, who flew here from California. "It's an honor to be around real warriors, the President and the White House. It's a beautiful setting."

The weather was perfect as well, with temperatures in the mid-80's, low humidity and continuous sunshine as the players worked on their packages with the president. Behind them was a perfect view of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.

Afterward, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of the team's second visit to the White House in three years: "It's something we aspire to do each and very year."

Said defensive captain James Farrior: "This never gets old for me. I love coming to the White House."