Cornelius Ingram has first of hopefully several visits to the White House

In what is hopefully a positive sign about his character and leadership ability, the National Champion Florida Gators decided that Cornelius Ingram would be the guy to present a jersey to President Obama when the team visited the White House last month.

"No one even batted an eye when that decision was made," Florida coach Urban Meyer said earlier today during a phone interview. "Everybody was thinking it might be (Tim) Tebow or (Brandon) Spikes, but C.I. was so respected among the players that everybody was fine with that."

Ingram said he was very nervous when meeting the president.

"That was the best experience I ever had," Ingram said. "Sorry to say, I almost forgot his name was up there because I was so nervous. My hands went to sweating and I had to present him with the football as well as the jersey. As soon as I got finished, my mom called me and she was so happy. I said, 'Mom, the whole time he was talking I was so nervous that the only thing I kept thinking was don't let this football slip on the stage.' I snugged it to my body. It was definitely a great experience ... the best experience I ever had."

Now that he's done it once, he probably won't be so nervous next time he gets to visit the White House as a champion...

Seriously though, I think it does show something about how highly Ingram was thought of amongst his teammates for him to be given the honor of presenting the jersey.

Video of Ingram presenting the jersey after the jump.