Meeting the president is one of the many perks that championship athletes in America often get to experience, and the events typically give the president a light-hearted respite from his daily duties, but rarely does that include a controversial photobomb—until last week.On Wednesday, the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team was honored at the White House in the typical style. The president made brief remarks, praising the team for its hard work and dedication, and even referencing his own athletic daughters as he stood surrounded by some especially tall and talented young women. He received a signed basketball and jersey from the team, holding the latter up as he smiled for the photo-op. That’s when two players, junior Stefanie Dolson and sophomore Kiah Stokes, flashed bunny ears above the president’s head.Dolson tweeted about the event afterwards.
Casually giving the president bunny ears! Had a great time being with the team.. Oh and the president pic.twitter.com/xoj9BELQ77— stefanie Dolson (@bigmommastef) July 31, 2013
Stokes did too.
@UConnWBB on the Today Show this am! Pic of @bre_stewart30+@kstokes41 giving Obama bunny ears! @bigmommastef mouth was open… As usual lol— Shea Ralph (@Shea_UConn1) August 1, 2013
Some questioned whether the move was appropriate, but Dolson told SNYUCONN.com the move was all in good fun.”President Obama’s a lighthearted guy,” she said. “He was making jokes, cracking jokes at Coach [Geno Auriemma], even during his speech he was joking around. When we posed for the picture he turned around and kind of said, ‘Don’t go doing those bunny ears as a joke.’ Me, Kiah, and Stewie Breanna Stewart] were like, ‘Should we do it?’ We took the nice pictures and then as a joke we put our fingers behind his ears. I thought it was funny. Overall, I thought it was a good time.”What’s your take? Did these young athletes go too far with their photobomb bunny ears, or is it a sign they were just having fun with the president?
Morgan Whitaker