Pelley also asked if Obama has any hesitation about women serving in combat. "You know, I don't," Obama said. "Women are serving, they are taking great risks, and we should not prevent them from advancing." Reacting to the reaction about whether women are "strong" or "fit" enough to serve now that the Pentagon has lifted its own ban, Obama said there was a member of his team who served in some capacity (he didn't elaborate) who is small, and doesn't weigh much. She doesn't look like a quote-unquote "soldier." But Obama said she can do just as much as any man in their office, and more.

Pelley and Obama also, you know, talked about football. Pelley focused on the issue of player safety. "As I said before, I'd have to think about it," the President said. Obama told The New Republic that he would think twice before letting his (theoretical) son start playing football, because of the dangers of the game. "I want to make sure we're doing everything we can to make the sport safer," he said on Sunday. Obama cited what we know about the effects concussions are having on retired players as a reason to "give parents pause" before letting their kids start playing. But it could be different in the future. While separating the "grown men" of the NFL from lower levels of the sports such as Pop Warner, Obama acknowledged that "the game is probably going to evolve a little bit" as we learn more about the effects of head injuries. Big hits and the "rock 'em sock 'em" part of the game might have to change first, though.

And then, it was time to go. "I've got some wings to go eat," the President said.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.