The Career Highlights of Obama's Body Man
When you're President Obama's persona assistant, your assignments aren't glamorous but you're doing them for the president of the United States, so even handing him a bottle of water is kind of a big deal. Today, Obama body man Reggie Love gave his exit interview to ESPN as he leaves the White House to complete his graduate degree in business. It's quite a transition for Love given that the former Duke basketball star has been with Obama since 2006 when the president was a U.S. senator in Illinois. Here are the career highlights of the media-shy assistant:
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The personal item dispenser A profile of Love in 2008 by The New York Times immortalized Love as the Obama aide with the deep pockets. Saddled with the responsibility of having everything the president needs whenever he needs it, Love always keeps his pockets stuffed with "Sharpies, stationery, protein bars, throat lozenges, water, tea, Advil, Tylenol, Purell and emergency Nicorette, not to mention his ever-present iPhone, BlackBerry and Canon Rebel XT digital camera." ABC adds that pocket stays, a Tide stain remover and dental products are also in the mix.
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The sexy bachelor In 2008, People recognized Love in its bachelors issue "Sexy & Single," in which Love granted the tabloid a rare interview into his dating habits. What's a deal-breaker for Love? "Not knowing who was in the NBA finals this year or not knowing who won the Super Bowl." Still, he's willing to change for the right woman. "I stopped cooking with pepper because a woman didn't like the taste." One thing he vowed would never change: "I still play beer pong."
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The constant air companion According to ABC News, Love has flown 880,780 miles with the president. Love says he never minded the close-quarters travel with Obama, except the occasional car trip. "The thing that used to kill me is that the guy loves to ride around with the AC off in the summertime," he told ESPN. "And I get hot. I start sweating. And I'm like, it's 80 degrees in this car. I'm going to pass out."
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Things he taught Obama The musical stylings of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and other hip-hip artists. He also taught the president how to do a fist-bump, reports The Guardian, which of course led to its own non-controversy. Obama has said “He’s broadened my horizons in the hip-hop world.”
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Things Obama taught him In return, the president got Love started on John Coltrane and Frank Sinatra, according to The New York Times.
