President Barack Obama took a break from politics Friday to sit courtside at a basketball game between his hometown team Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.
As Obama arrived at the Verizon Center, fans and the players applauded him. Obama chose a corner chair to sit with some old friends from Chicago and shook hands with fans sitting behind him.
The president pumped his fist and grinned when the Bulls scored several of their points. But he was largely subdued, clapping politely, with his Chicago team trailing for much of the game. Obama left the match early with about four minutes remaining – and his hometown team trailing 17 points.
The Wizards beat the Bulls, 113-90.
The game was delayed slightly as officials waited for his entrance.
Obama had already welcomed the Bulls into town Thursday, when the team visited him at the White House and presented him with a jersey.
White House senior adviser David Axelrod also attended Friday’s game.