Over the weekend, former UB.com front man Phil Hellmuth was in Dallas, Texas for Super Bowl XLV, which saw the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 last night. Part of Hellmuth’s itinerary was a stop at Southern Methodist University to chat it up with former U.S. President George W. Bush.
After meeting country singer Garth Brooks and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush earlier in the day, Hellmuth Tweeted about his run-in with Bush: “Wow! Gave George Bush a signed book + signed beer can at his library at SMU + we hit it off really well! Found him to be witty + engaging.”
The “Poker Brat” also included a picture of the moment, which also featured former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Hellmuth explained, “Pic: me answering questions from George Bush + Condi Rice. George tucked my book into his inner jacket pocket!”
The Tweet and its corresponding picture prompted PartyPoker pro Tony G to weigh in. The overzealous pro gave his own caption for the picture: “Is it just me or do you get the impression this is just Hellmuth going, ‘Can I have a picture taken with you’ Devilfish style then claim they you are best mates? Yeah Phil, Bush wanted to talk about all your bracelets and advise you on a new sponsorship deal? Is that what we are going to hear next? Did you talk to him about your life coach and how all the young kids are overtaking you?”
Then, Tony G initiated a caption contest. The two-time World Poker Tour (WPT) final table member laid out the rules via his brand new Twitter account: “Phil Hellmuth and George W. Bush best friends? I am offering $100 of my own money for the best caption.” One of the first responses was from Mark Bland, who gave his subtitle of Hellmuth’s meeting with Bush: “Your friend wants to play me at No Limit poker? Let’s shake on it.”
In case you’re wondering, Hellmuth laid money on Green Bay covering the three-point spread and the over of 45. In actuality, the Pack won by twice the line and the two Super Bowl teams combined for 56 points. Hellmuth Tweeted, “Betting more on Pack (-3)! Also betting over 45. Go Pack!”
Hellmuth, who is originally from Wisconsin, had a little taste of the “old country” prior to kickoff: “Enjoying a Wisconsin Bratwurst in Cowboys Stadium! Bailed on NFL tailgate (traffic) @phelpsthefish we will have a drink after the game!” Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Winter Olympics in Beijing, hails from Baltimore.
While many in the sports world lambasted this year’s halftime show featuring the Black Eyed Peas along with appearances by Slash and Usher, Hellmuth Tweeted gleefully about the lead-up to the group’s performance: “TCU band on field, sigh, last time I saw them, my Wisconsin Badgers lost Rose Bowl… Hope it isn’t a bad omen!”
Hellmuth then relayed his thoughts on the Super Bowl XLV intermission’s main event. Needless to say, he was quite elated to be part of the excitement at Cowboys Stadium outside Dallas: “Best halftime show ever! Black Eyed Peas, Slash, Usher… Had goose bumps! 3 things in DNA when from Wisconsin like me: beer, cheese, + Packers.”
Hellmuth hasn’t checked in since 12 hours ago, leading some to believe that he may have had the time of his life partying. The 11-time bracelet winner’s last check-in came around 10:00pm local time in Dallas: “Wow! Did not think I could be this happy because of a football game! But I was there suffering when Pack lost to Denver in like, 1998.”
