President Barack Obama had some fun with the Broncos during their visit Monday to the White House.

Obama poked fun at several members of the Broncos, who beat the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

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"On and off the field these guys are champs, so apparently John Elway knows what he's doing," Obama said. "I will continue to root for the Bears, but I have to give them credit for what they've done. This is a well-deserved celebration."

Not every player of the Super Bowl 50 champions was in attendance, with Brock Osweiler opting to stay in Houston to practice with his new team. Evan Mathis, now with the Cardinals, also decided to participate in organized team activities. Cornerback Aqib Talib could not make the trip after being hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his leg early Sunday.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen was unable to attend while dealing with Alzheimer's, but Annabel Bowlen represented her husband and presented the president with a No. 44 Broncos jersey and a helmeet.

"I think maybe I could play wide receiver, but it's been awhile since I've run a 4.4 40," Obama quipped. "I do need a helmet. You get knocked around a little bit here in Washington."

Obama opened the ceremony by calling his own "Omaha" audible made famous by Manning. He got rousing applause when he called the Broncos defense one of the best defenses of all time, even comparing the unit to Obama's beloved 1985 Chicago Bears.

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Obama said Miller's Super Bowl MVP performance was pretty remarkable for a self-proclaimed "geek" who "prides himself on his collection of eye glasses."

Obama got some laughs when he called kicker Brandon McManus the "heart and soul and the horsepower of the offense."

Then he turned his attention to Manning, calling him "the guy from the commercials."

"You basically can stack your whole household with stuff this guy is selling," Obama said. "I'm so pleased to be able to host Peyton. Anybody who's been a football fan has watched what has been a Hall of Fame career.

"We were all a little disappointed to see him hang it up this spring."