A Third New England Patriot Says He Will Skip a White House Visit

[deminks]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/sports/football/new-england-patriots-white-house-visit-donald-trump.html?_r=0

At least three members of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots have said they will not visit the White House for the traditional meeting that championship teams have with the president.

The Pro Bowl linebacker Dont’a Hightower became the latest to bow out when he told ESPN on Wednesday: “Been there, done that,” having visited with a championship Alabama team.

Tight end Martellus Bennett told reporters after the Super Bowl that he would not go: “It is what it is,” he said. “People know how I feel about it. Just follow me on Twitter.” The outspoken Bennett had joked that he might move to outer space after Donald J. Trump was elected.

The Pro Bowl safety Devin McCourty, a team captain, told Time magazine: “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices, I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.”

(end snip)

[lame54]

1. Do you think Trump will be like his buddy Putin?...

and steal one of their rings?

[jeanmarc]

4. Why not, he stole a Purple Heart

He didn't earn it, 'but (he) always wanted one of those'

[Sherman A1]

2. K&R

It would be nice if more join the group not going.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. I think James White is leaning in that direction as well.

Last night was listening to the Boston sports radio station - the talk show hosts thought it will eventually be 5 or more - perhaps many more.

[NotThisTime]

8. I hope that's true, would be nice.

[underpants]

5. How sad is it that people don't feel accepted in the White House

That's a pathetic observation on Trimp and his kind.

BTW - White House tours have been discontinued because Melania hasn't gotten around to appointing a staff.

[Docreed2003]

6. Sad...especially since it's "the people's house"

[NotThisTime]

7. Hightower is as much a recognized player as McCourty.... let the drip continue...

[1965Comet]

9. I love this stuff

it makes the Pats-haters around here look like idiots...

[Skittles]

12. no it doesn't

you don't have to like a sports team to root for a player

[1965Comet]

15. My point was a bit different.

There have been several posts about Belichick and Brady supposedly loving Donald Trump, which engenders multiple comments from DUers about how they "hate the Pats since they all love Trump" and "will stop liking the Pats because Belichick wrote a letter to Trump once".

Obviously, there are players who do not like Trump, which makes the DUers mentioned above look like assholes.

[matt819]

10. Almost 6% of the roster - Need more

Unfortunately, we are in an age when everything is politics - sports, food, water, clothes, computers, etc.

That said - I don't know the racial make-up of the team, but surely the African-American players cannot possibly support this regime. And just as surely, there are white players whose politics do not align with Tom Brady's. Ok, I get it. It's tradition, such as it is, for the winning Super Bowl team to visit the WH. But, just as surely, these players, along with the rest of us, have to account for what they did when it was important. And a statement of resistance by not showing up would be one of those statements. And if their employer threatens them, well, so be it. They earn millions and can fight back. What's he going to do with a winning football team? Fire his players who don't share his views?

[NotThisTime]

14. Local talk is there will be more and perhaps a significant number more

Don't forget, they haven't even been asked for the most part... the makeup of the team is mostly African-American with maybe 6-8 white players I can think of off the top of my head. The co-captain said the owner isn't pressuring them... I take him at his word as he is not going. Some of these guys (several) are free agents, but if New England doesn't pick them up, for damn sure someone will.

[Dulcinea]

11. Maybe only Tom Brady & Robert Kraft will show up!

What a bromance!

[smirkymonkey]

13. I live in Boston and I'm not a sports fan, but if they keep this up, they just

might win me over! Keep it up Pats!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

16. They should say they are just waiting for the next Presidential election.

[Cha]

17. Good on them.. thank you, deminks!