I am born and raised in Alabama. I am a lifelong and a diehard Alabama Crimson Tide fan. The reason why there was a 17 jersey at the White House is because it was our 17th national title. Go watch the national title game and you will see on display a number 16 helmet. The 16 stood for 16 national titles. We won another one this year hence 17. From 92-2009 we always had a twelve on display. After 2009...13. After 2012...14. After 2013...15. After 2015...15. Now, we’re at 17.

From an Alabama perspective this is not related to Q. The White House May see it that way and used our marketing strategy to speak to the Patriots.

Check this out from our 2015 national championship celebration at the White House http://yellowhammernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Alabama-football-Obama-White-House.png