It hasn’t even been a week since the New England Patriots became Super Bowl LI champions, and already six Patriots players have declined the team’s inevitable invitation to the White House.
As The Blaze reported, so far, defensive tackle Alan Branch, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive end Chris Long, running back LeGarrette Blount, defensive back Devin McCourty, and tight end Martellus Bennett have all revealed that they will not be going to the White House for various reasons.
Like Bennett and McCourty, Blount will not be meeting with the president because he does not feel “welcome” or “accepted”:
“I will NOT be going to the White House. I don’t feel welcome in that house. I’ll leave it at that.” –@LG_Blount
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 9, 2017
On the other hand, some players are simply not going because they had either “planned on skipping” or would rather spend time with their families, like quarterback Tom Brady did when the Patriots visited former President Barrack Obama after their win in 2015.
Oh Chuck. Planned on skipping, hadn’t been asked. Don’t need an open letter explaining my own words to me. Not *joining* anyone. My call. https://t.co/XWo9x2XT40
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) February 9, 2017
Now Brady is sending a poignant message to his fans on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQVfxwLjO2B/
Could this be a message to his teammates who have decided to forego meeting President Trump? It’s not exactly clear.
Tom Brady and Donald Trump have been friends for years. pic.twitter.com/ObNZm0evH8
— Michael Delauzon (@MichaelDelauzon) February 6, 2017
