Shout-out goes to QB Robinson

Ann Arbor— President Barack Obama couldn't hide his admiration for University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. And Robinson couldn't hide from the president.

"Where's Denard?" Obama said, looking around the crowd for the quarterback's trademark dreadlocks during opening remarks of his speech Friday at Al Glick Field House.

"I hear Denard Robinson's in the house. I hear you're coming back, man. That is a good deal for Michigan."

When someone from the audience shouted, "Denard Robinson in 2012," the crowd of almost 4,000 laughed.

"They're trying to draft you for president," Obama said. "He's got to graduate before he runs for president. There's an age limit."

The president made the junior quarterback and Michigan sports key themes early in his speech, which made the crowd roar with excitement.

He also congratulated the Wolverines football team on its bowl victory and gave a shout-out to the men's basketball team, which is off to a 6-2 start in the Big Ten (17-4 overall).

"It is good to be in the home of the Sugar Bowl champions," Obama said. "I understand the basketball team is good, too. Go Blue."

Robinson said after the speech he couldn't comment on the president's kind words.

From his opening line — "Hello, Michigan. It is good to be back in Ann Arbor" — the president missed few opportunities to work Michigan and local references into his address.

Earlier Friday in a recorded interview aired on Paul W. Smith's show on WJR-AM (760), Smith noted this was the second time Obama had visited the University of Michigan.

Obama laughed and agreed that it was time he paid a visit to the campus of Michigan State University.

jkatzenstein@detnews.com

(313) 222-2019