MILWAUKEE -- Now that the NFL's labor dispute is coming to an end, the Green Bay Packers still hope to find a way to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House.
They're working against a tight timeframe.
Speaking to reporters in Green Bay on Monday, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said a trip to Washington wouldn't be practical during the regular season, but the team is working with White House officials to possibly schedule it in August.
That will be a challenge, given that coaches already have to pack extra preparation time into training camp after offseason practice sessions were lost to the lockout.
"We've since had some discussions, looking at whether we can find a date in August where the team could go down and visit the White House," Murphy said. "I hope we can make it. I think it'd be such a special and unique opportunity for our players."
Of course, President Barack Obama might have some scheduling concerns of his own -- especially with the clock ticking on the approaching debt limit deadline.
"I do realize that President Obama has more important things to deal with now than this," Murphy said.
The NFL didn't allow the Packers to make a White House visit during the lockout.
If the trip can somehow be saved now, Murphy said he expected it to be particularly sweet for veteran cornerback Charles Woodson.
After the Packers beat Obama's Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game, Woodson jokingly chided the president for not publicly supporting the team in the Super Bowl.
When Obama gave a speech in Wisconsin before the Packers' Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Woodson sent him a signed jersey with the message, "See you at the White House. Go Packers."
"I'm looking forward to seeing Charles Woodson and President Obama shake hands," Murphy said.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
