Saturday, November 27, 2010

For this game, Obama stayed in stands-Obama needed 12 stitches after being elbowed in the face. EVAN VUCCI - AP-Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

For this game, Obama stayed in stands
By Roger Runningen
Bloomberg News
Posted: Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

(GOOD WISHES TO MR BARACK OBAMA FOR FAST RECOVERY!!GET WELL SOON!!!!....VIBHA)

Obama needed 12 stitches after being elbowed in the face. EVAN VUCCI - AP

WASHINGTON A day after receiving 12 stitches in his lower lip after being injured during a basketball game, President Barack Obama returned to the court Saturday - this time as a spectator.

The president and the first family attended a college game between Oregon State and Howard in Washington. First lady Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, is the coach of Oregon State's team.

The stitches didn't prevent the president from greeting other fans at Howard's Burr Gymnasium or eating popcorn. He left with several minutes left to play in the game.

Obama played basketball for about 90 minutes at a gym at Fort McNair in Washington on Friday. The injury to the president's upper lip occurred when Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, turned to take a shot and elbowed Obama in the mouth.

Obama was treated by the White House medical unit, administration spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

Obama's aide, Reggie Lovea former basketball player at Duke University, was also playing. In treating the president's upper lip, doctors used a smaller filament, which increases the number of stitches but makes a tighter stitch and results in a smaller scar, according to an e-mailed White House statement.

Obama, 49, received a local anesthetic for the stitches, the statement said.

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