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Broncos Or Panthers? President Obama Refuses To Make Prediction

WASHINGTON D.C. (CBS4) - CBS4's Jim Benemann traveled to the White House this week to interview President Barack Obama about health care, but it was inevitable Benemann would first ask the president for his Super Bowl prediction -- Carolina Panthers or the Denver Broncos?

Jim Benemann Barack Obama
President Barack Obama being interviewed by CBS4's Jim Benemann (credit: CBS)

Two years ago, before the Broncos played the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, Obama declined to predict which team would win. He only offered his prediction of the final score -- 24-21. He was way off as the Seahawks pounded the Broncos 43–8, the largest margin of victory for an underdog in Super Bowl history.

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President Barack Obama being interviewed by CBS4's Jim Benemann (credit: CBS)

Obama, an avid sports fan, did the same thing last year for Super Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots and the Seahawks. He refused to pick a team only saying the game "is going to be close." This time he was he was correct. XLIX came down to the last play -- Malcolm Butler's interception of quarterback Russel Wilson -- and the Patriots held on to win 28-24.

So what about Super Bowl 50? It was more of the same from the president on Wednesday:

Benemann: Mr. President, first things first -- the Bears are no longer in it, so you can be objective. What's your Super Bowl pick, Broncos or Panthers?

President Obama: You know what? I've got to see a little more information but I think it's a great story for Peyton Manning to be towards the end of his career in a Super Bowl again … and the defense that the Broncos have is unbelievable, but Carolina looks tough; this is going to be a close one.

Benemann: You've been following a lot more than you let on.

President Obama: Oh, absolutely.

So there it is -- another Super Bowl, another prediction dodge from the president!

Denver Broncos Carolina Panthers Super Bowl 50 logo

See predictions on the big game from the CBS4 Sports team here.

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