New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett has already announced he will not attend the traditional Super Bowl celebration at the White House.
“I haven’t thought about it,” Bennett told members of the media following the Patriots dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons late Sunday night. “But I’m not going to go. Nah.”
Pushed to elaborate on his decision, Bennett declined. “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.”
Bennett caught five passes for 62 yards during the Super Bowl, the first NFL title game in history to be decided in overtime. Quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 34-28 win after trailing 28-3 in the third quarter.
Brady was criticized prior to the game for refusing to denounce President Donald Trump; both men have said they are “good friends.” Patriots owner Bob Kraft and coach Bill Belichick have also been targeted by anti-Trump activists for maintaining friendly relationships with the president.
Trump cited all three by name in a congratulatory tweet after the game. “What an amazing comeback and win by the Patriots,” the president wrote on Twitter. “Tom Brady, Bob Kraft and Coach B are total winners. Wow!”
Bennett told reporters that politics was never a factor in the Patriots locker room. “The only thing that really matters is getting this championship,” he said, adding that he didn’t think the team’s owner, Kraft, would be concerned about his decision to boycott the White House celebration: “Whatever I want do, they believe in that.”
The Patriots tight end hinted at his plans to skip the White House ceremony in a previous interview. “I’ve got to win the Super Bowl first, but most likely no,” Bennett said. “I don’t support the guy that’s in the house.”
TAKE THE POLL
