Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama
"I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport. I enjoyed playing basketball with him this morning. I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon," Decerega said.
The men had gathered to play five games of five-on-five when the incident took place. The games reportedly included Obama's nephew Avery Robinson, his assistant Reggie Love and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had this to say:
"After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the President received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit."
I would find it oddly discomforting to be the guy who hit the President of the United States in the face. My mind is racing to wonder if the Secret Service Agents sprinted onto the court, pushing everyone back. I wonder if Obama was taken to the hospital or rushed. In fact, I even wonder if it's considered a national security risk to lay out the details regarding where the president plays basketball and who he plays with.
In fact, what level of national security clearance does one have to have in order to play ball with Obama? Did the Secret Service question Decerega to see if had a beef against Barack? What if the president plays basketball like a jerk and makes another player angry enough to elbow him "by accident?" OK, if you don't play ball, then you may not understand where I'm coming from. I've "accidentally" elbowed a few guys in my day, but none of them had presidential power.
Mind you, I am laughing as I think about all this. But an incident like this says a great deal about the difficulty of protecting the president and managing his complex life. Everything from where he uses the bathroom to the kleenex he blows his nose with must be scrutinized and managed to the finest detail. There's not a bone in my body that would want to trade places with Barack, especially after getting elbowed in the face.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.