WASHINGTON -- President Bush welcomed the New England Patriots to the White House on Tuesday, calling the improbable Super Bowl winners "true football champs and really fine Americans."

	President Bush met with the Patriots on Tuesday, including owner Robert Kraft, left, and coach Bill Belichick, right.

At a morning Rose Garden ceremony, Bush remembered the team's historic season, which began with most writing them off after a shaky 1-3 start. He compared their victory with his own ascent to the White House despite many commentators' questions about his qualifications.

"I remember all the experts -- no one thought they would win," Bush said. "They learned what I learned. The experts are often wrong."

Bush praised the team's character, saying he was impressed by the way they took the field all together before their 20-17 Super Bowl victory over the St. Louis Rams.

"I thought that was a pretty good signal to America that teamwork was important, that the team is bigger than the individual," Bush said.

Team owner Robert Kraft made Bush an honorary team captain, and presented the president with a team jersey, sporting the number 1 and the name Bush on the back.

Kraft said that like Bush the Patriots had helped pull the country together at a time of crisis.

Bush shook hands with all the players, including quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who joined his teammates for the first time since the Super Bowl. Bledsoe, who lost his starting job to Tom Brady after being injured, is expected to be traded before next season.