Obama made a ‘Deflategate’ joke while the Patriots were at the White House

The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, minus quarterback Tom Brady, were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.

And Obama did not shirk away from his opportunity to rib at the most powerful football team on the planet when he made direct mention of the controversy surrounding the Patriots during their championship run: allegations they played with deflated footballs during their AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts.

“I usually tell a lot of jokes at these events,” he said. “But with the Patriots in town I was worried that 11 out of 12 of them would fall flat. (groans, laughter) All right, all right. That whole story got blown a little out of proportion.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave the President a thumbs down.

Patriots all-star tight-end Rob Gronkowski was quoted by reporter for the Boston Herald as being none too pleased either.

Amid the jokes about deflated balls, Belichick’s wardrobe and Gronkowski, the president congratulated the Patriots for their sustained success and for their thrilling 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX in February.

Obama, a noted fan of the Chicago Bears, said his White House staff and Congress have a disproportionate number of Patriots fans, and he cracked that he should have screened better when hiring.

He also pointed out that Secretary of State John Kerry, from Massachusetts, managed to clear his busy travel agenda to find a seat in the front row at the ceremony.

“The Patriots organization is as good an organization as there has ever been in professional sports,” Obama said, referencing the Patriots’ four Super Bowl titles under Belichick and owner Bob Kraft. “To be able to maintain that kind of consistent excellence is a rare thing in any field, including on the football field. It’s a testament to ownership; it’s a testament to a Hall of Fame coach.

“I’m particularly grateful that Coach decided to dress up today,” Obama joked about Belichick, whose game-day attire usually consists of a hoodie with cutoff sleeves. “We had some scissors if he wanted to cut the sleeves off. Formal hoodies are allowed.”

The president credited the Patriots for overcoming the distractions of that controversy as they prepared for the Super Bowl.

He mentioned a few Patriots by name, saying he told hard-partying tight end Rob Gronkowski “to keep his shirt on.”

He finished with mention of Malcolm Butler’s game-saving interception, saying with his best New England accent, “I think it’s fair to say that Malcolm has earned a lifetime of free drinks in every bah in Bahston.”

Obama listed the Patriots’ accomplishments under Belichick and Brady — four titles, six Super Bowl appearances, 12 division titles — and said, “In a league that’s known for its parity, they have set a standard for excellence we may not see in a very long time.”

Obama also acknowledged the community service of the Patriots organization and players, who visited veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier in the day.

Obama concluded by saying, “I just wish the city of Boston would share some of those titles you keep winning with the city of Chicago. I’m hoping I get to see the Bears before I leave here. But, in the meantime, I wish the Patriots organization all the best for what is well-deserved success. Congratulations, everybody.”

Kraft thanked the president and, noting his allegiance to the NFC’s Bears, said, “We think you should have an AFC team. As the leader of the free world, you truly are the ultimate Patriot. We are all Patriots.”

Kraft gave Obama a No. 44 jersey — representative of Obama’s standing as the 44th president in U.S. history — and a helmet signed by the Patriots.

Said Kraft, “We thank him for inviting us here today and hope we have a chance to come back here next year.”

Obama then introduced the reticent Belichick with the crack, “Coach Belichick has agreed to have a press conference. He’s going to go on forever.”

Belichick kept it typically short, though, calling it “pretty cool to be standing up here” and a “great honor.”

Brady was not present due to a previous family commitment.

CNN contributed to this story.