Bill Clinton: “----and we've had a lot of laughs about it. But I do want to say, you know, I was the first President from my home State…”

“----and we've had a lot of laughs about it. But I do want to say, you know, I was the first President from my home State ever elected. I owe a lot to Tennessee; if it hadn't been for the Vice President joining the ticket, I might not have won the first time, almost certainly wouldn't have won the second time, because we made all the record we made together. And so I feel deeply indebted. And all I can say is, we're even now. [Laughter] Actually, I was very impressed. I like teams, and people, who don't quit, who never say die, and who stick together. I like the fact that this team had a lot of stars, at different times during the year, but won as a team. You had--Peerless Price caught a, what, a 76- and a 79-yard touchdown pass in the Fiesta Bowl, but he wouldn't have been there to catch those passes if this guy--[laughter]--hadn't broken through the line, somebody else hadn't kicked a field goal, and if all the guys in the line who never get their names called on television didn't show up for every play and play like crazy. And I think it's important. And I think it's a real tribute to these young men, and to their fine coach. And I think it should be obvious to anybody who knows anything about college football, and anything about this coach, anything about this program, that this is a program, and a team, founded not just on strength and speed and talent but also on thinking and effort and courage and good values. And in that sense, in winning the national championship and in winning it the way they did, in a highly competitive season, they reflected credit on the entire United States of America. And every--every--person in America should be proud of them. I certainly am, and I wish you well in getting back next year. Thank you.”