Obama’s Football-Filled NATO Weekend

The commander in chief caught a Champions League final on Saturday and tossed a pigskin around Sunday. You know, since he wasn't busy.

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Pete Souza / The White House / Getty Images

In this handout provided by the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama throws a football at Soldier Field following the NATO Summit working dinner on May 20, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

It was a weekend full of football for the President. First, Barack Obama watched the thrilling shootout finish of the Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich Champions League final on Saturday; on Sunday, he turned to the Americanized version of the game Sunday evening, tossing a pigskin around Chicago’s famed Soldier Field after a working dinner. (Oh yeah, he hosted a conference of world leaders at the NATO summit, too.)

The White House released the above photo of Obama in a full throwing motion on the home turf of the former Illinois Senator’s beloved Chicago Bears, leading to a new quarterback controversy for Chicago (they always have one, right?).

(VIDEO: Obama Slow-Jams the News With Jimmy Fallon)

CBS reports that Obama was joking with the other NATO leaders about taking a break for a little U.S.-style football during the Sunday event, but there’s no word on if any of the other dignitaries joined him on the field for a little pitch and catch.

Obama had a little fun with the Sunday football toss too, though, exciting fans of the now-defunct television show Friday Night Lights by posting the phrase “Clear eyes, full hearts.” on his Twitter account on Monday, a reference to a quote used during the show.

Another White House photo showed Obama watching the soccer shootout from the day before as leaders from England (the home country of Chelsea) enjoyed pure elation—including Prime Minister David Cameron with both arms raised—and leaders from Germany (the home country of Bayern Munich) had forlorn looks.

Still, we’d love to know who was on the receiving end of Obama’s toss. We’re guessing it was Cameron.

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