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Politics invade all aspects of our lives. Let's not bring it into football. Maybe it's time to retire this tradition. We are not like England with a Queen who is apolitical. Our Head of State will always be political.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ELOrocks17
The fact that several players are openly refusing to attend a White house ceremony because they dont like Trump. What a selfish attitude and really tacky. Did they even think about how that makes Robert Kraft look? When asked by Trump why some of the players on his team didn't show up..what is he supposed to say? Look, i get it, some people dont like Trump, but this is about the team, not the individual. Just really petty.
Many of the players who declined are free agents and likely won't be on NE's roster in May when the visit happens. They are better served using that time to prepare for their new team than going to visit a president they don't agree with. They are not employed by the Feds, they owe Trump nothing. This is much ado about nothing IMO.
It is far from a new thing to have players decline due to political reasons.
If you want my truthful opinion, these white house visits by pro-athlete teams are STUPID. I mean really now, think about the waste of time it is. The only reason I can think of that we still do them are because of tradition. I honestly don't see how it's that big of an "honor" to go. And it's not what you would think. It's basically a brief 20 minute photo op. THAT'S IT! So many different sports leagues collegiate and professional, different teams winning every year, players moving around on teams all the time and you get a little 20 minute photo-op? What's the big deal?
If you want my truthful opinion, these white house visits by pro-athlete teams are STUPID. I mean really now, think about the waste of time it is. The only reason I can think of that we still do them are because of tradition. I honestly don't see how it's that big of an "honor" to go. And it's not what you would think. It's basically a brief 20 minute photo op. THAT'S IT! So many different sports leagues collegiate and professional, different teams winning every year, players moving around on teams all the time and you get a little 20 minute photo-op? What's the big deal?
Have to agree. Sports are sports, no relation to politics.
Politics invade all aspects of our lives. Let's not bring it into football. Maybe it's time to retire this tradition. We are not like England with a Queen who is apolitical. Our Head of State will always be political.
Too late...
You need to tell that to the players.
Each little incident hurts the NFL little by little.
The fact that several players are openly refusing to attend a White house ceremony because they dont like Trump. What a selfish attitude and really tacky. Did they even think about how that makes Robert Kraft look? When asked by Trump why some of the players on his team didn't show up..what is he supposed to say? Look, i get it, some people dont like Trump, but this is about the team, not the individual. Just really petty.
this is nothing new, players from various sports have declined invitations to the white house after winning championships, regardless of who is president.
I really don't have a problem with those who decline to visit the White House, whether it's Dont'a Hightower when Trump is in the Oval Office or Matt Birk a few years back when Obama was President. Protest is at the heart of America (no matter how bent out of shape some people get with those who don't fall in line and adhere to cultural norms).
But the whole 'Gee, I'd love to but I have a scheduling conflict so I can't. Sorry, sure wish I could!' excuse? Please. I haven't heard any of that this time around but several players have offered up that spineless excuse in the past. Now, I'm sure that once or twice it has actually been true. But we all know that most of the time, it's because a player doesn't want to go all the way and take an actual stand because it might ding his public perception and thereby his value as a celebrity endorser - and heaven forbid that next year he only rakes in $7.5 million from endorsements instead of $8 million! (proving that the principle dearest to his heart is the almighty dollar)
I don't agree with much Matt Birk says that doesn't pertain to football, but I respect his willingness to take a stand for what he believes. But the 'I can't come to Washington 'cause I have to fold my socks and clean the gutters that day!' folks just embarrasses themselves with their its wink-wink-nod-nod excuses.
The list is now evidently up to at least 6 Pats players not interested and growing.
Trump is a lightning rod----in his ascendancy he has made calculated efforts to upset divergent groups of people.
I respect the rights of Pats players to decide on the own accord whether or not to attend the White House super bowl honors.
If some players do not feel comfortable with Trumps game plan, do not attend----I don't blame them for not attending----this is a guy who has gone out of his way to alienate some segments our nation.
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