It’s standard for sports teams that win titles to visit the White House after their victory to share their glory with POTUS, and often a few team members are missing in action. Most of the time, they are absent for logistical reasons—maybe they’re injured, or on vacation, or have been traded to a different team.
This year is a bit different. So far three players from the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots have decided to say no to the White House visit, and for two of them, the move appears to be protest against Donald Trump.
The first to decline for the ceremony was tight end Martellus Bennett. Bennett was asked after the game if he would go and he told the media that he hadn’t thought about it, but he is “not going to go. Nah.” He added: “I’m just not going to come,” he said. “I mean, I’ll elaborate later on in life, but like right now, I’m just trying to enjoy this right now.”
A few days later, Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty said he would also not be attending because he did not feel welcome. “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House.” he said. “With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.”
The third player to decline is linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who along with McCourty is one of the team’s defensive stars. The difference between Hightower and his teammates who are refusing to go is that for Hightower it doesn’t appear to be political. It was simply a matter of “been there, done that,” as he said. Hightower also declined to go when the Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2014, most likely because he had already been after his college team, the University of Alabama, won the national championship in 2011.
Pro athletes have not been quiet about criticizing President Trump. Some, like the NBA’s Luol Deng and MLS and USMNT soccer star Michael Bradley, criticized Trump’s immigration ban. Others, like LeBron James and Blake Griffin, spoke out when Trump’s locker room comments became public.
While no other Patriots have said they will stay home for the trip, it wouldn’t be shocking if that changed by the time the visit is scheduled. A date has yet to be set for the White House rendezvous.
