Kids’ Touch Football Fires Up Clinton’s Competitive Spirit

President-elect Bill Clinton marked the new year with a touch football game on the beach Saturday.

Clinton played on the same side as his daughter, Chelsea, in a game featuring a few grown-ups and lots of kids.

Clinton showed his competitive fires at one point in the game when he claimed that the other team lined up and ran a pass play before he was set.

“That’s ridiculous. I was just standing down there talking,” he told the other side. The other team relented, and Clinton’s team went on to win, 21 to 7. Clinton clearly was up for the hourlong contest, played until sunset along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. He took turns as a quarterback, receiver and defensive back.

The President-elect completed three passes, caught one as a receiver and threw two interceptions. He also intercepted a pass while playing defense.

The game drew a large crowd from among the participants in the annual Renaissance weekend, a gathering for recreation and discussion, and several passersby stopped to watch the game.

The Clintons are scheduled to remain here until Sunday.