Clinton returns to applause and a football helmet

This handout image provided January 7, 2013 by the US State Department shows US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) holds a football helmet she received aas a welcoming gift as she returned to work at the State Department in Washington, DC. Clinton returned to work on Monday after a month-long absence caused by a series of health scares, including a blood clot in her head, the State Department said. Clinton has been sidelined for four weeks, since she was taken ill on her return from a trip to Europe on December 7, and briefly hospitalized for a few days in New York last week. AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / US STATE DEPARTMENT