Eye on the Seahawks: Trip to The White House

A familiar sight as the team boards the Delta charter, only for the first time they are not headed to play a game. Instead, for the first time in team history they were headed to the White House to be honored for their Super Bowl victory by President Obama.

As they began a whirlwind trip that lasted less than 48 hours, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and his wife Glena posed for a photo before boarding the bus to the airport for the trip to the White House.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung heads to the plane as a sign still hanging from last season greets the team at SeaTac airport.

Safety Earl Thomas, usually one of the most serious of players when headed to play a road game, was relaxed and in a playful mood as he boarded the charter.

Congratulatory signs from the flight crew decorated the inside of the plane's cabin for the long trip to the White House and back.

Tight end Luke Willson and receiver Ricardo Lockette walk across the tarmac after the team landed in Washington D.C. late on Tuesday evening.

Dressed in sharp business attire for the meeting with the President, DeShawn Shead, left and Korey Toomer arrive with the team at the White House on Wednesday morning.

Former cornerback partners Brandon Browner, left and Richard Sherman catch up in the Blue Room of the White House as the team enjoyed a tour and informal reception.

John Schneider holds hands with his wife Traci as they and defensive end Kenneth Boatright walk along a hallway into the White House.

James Carpenter stands in the Blue Room of the White House in front of a painting of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung proudly poses in front of the famous painting of John F. Kennedy that hangs in the Entrance hall of the White House.

Glena and Pete Carroll chat in the Blue Room of the White House. Behind them is a portrait of James Madison.

U.S. Senator from Washington state Maria Cantwell greets Seahawks fans who were invited to the ceremony honoring the team.

Along with the American flag and the flag of the President of the United States sat a unique visitor -- the Lombardi Trophy won by the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Snith, center, is all smiles with the rest of the Seahawks as those in attendance in the East Room of the White House spontaneously erupted in a "SEA-HAWKS!" chant after the team entered but before the arrival of the President.

Seahawks players and coaches stand on risers behind President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House honoring the Super Bowl Champions.

President Obama gestures as he addresses the team in a ceremony honoring their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.

All eyes turned to general manager John Schneider as the President made a joke about the infamous photo of Schneider, shirtless, wearing a WWE championship bout as the team prepared for the Super Bowl.

Cornerback Richard Sherman laughs as President Obama makes a joke about him during the White House Ceremony.

Head coach Pete Carroll made brief comments thanking the President near the end of the ceremony, remarking, "Thank you, Mr. President...I can't believe I'm saying that".

The Seahawks broke with the tradition of presenting the President with a personalized jersey, instead presenting him with a 12 Flag.

Seahawks owner Paul Allen shakes hands with President Obama at the end of the ceremony. At left is team president Peter McLoughlin.

Head coach Pete Carroll shakes hands with President Obama. At far right is general manager John Schneider.

Following the ceremony, U.S. congressman Jim McDermott spoke with Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka in the Blue Room.

Michael Bennett cut a striking silhouette after the ceremony.

Glena and Pete Carroll hold hands as they exit the White House library. Seahawks players and coaches were able to visit many of the rooms in lower floors of the White House.

Seahawks fans are known for traveling well to road games, and the visit to see President Obama was no different as a crowd of 12's waited outside to greet the team as they exited the White House.

Coach Carroll walked along a line of Seahawks fans, slapping hands and signing autographs before boarding the bus.

Following the White House visit, the team made a brief stop at the Lincoln Memorial. Quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and receivers coach Kippy Brown take photos of the memorial with the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol in the background.

Assistant wide receivers coach Nate Carroll poses for a photo with his parents Glena and Pete Carroll in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the team's visit to the Nation's Capitol.

Pete and Glena Carroll stroll hand-in-hand as they leave the Lincoln Memorial and head for the team buses for the ride to the airport and the return flight to Seattle.