DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Patriots' Devin McCourty to join Martellus Bennett in White House boycott

Martellus Bennett isn't the only Patriots player to announce a boycott of the ceremonial White House visit.

New England defensive back Devin McCourty also announced Monday he won't be visiting President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.


MORE: Patriots' Martellus Bennett confirms he won't visit White House

"Basic reason for me is I don't feel accepted in the White House," McCourty told Time Magazine. "With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won't."

According to McCourty, attending the White House ceremony is a personal choice.

"I can't imagine a way I go there," he said.

While McCourty and Bennett aren't the first players to turn down a visit to the White House, their reasoning resonates for many in the United States.

After his presidential victory, Trump has become an even more controversial figure, especially in the wake of his recent executive order restricting travelers from seven predominantly Muslims nations from entering the U.S.

Well, we know for sure Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft will be at the White House — all three men are personal friends of Trump's.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/pat...x815dly9qv3yp4e

sorry this should be in the "everything else" forum...refs please move

It's fine in this forum for now, depending on the turn it takes.

Players have rejected invitations to the White House with Trump, Obama, Clinton, Bush, etc. Nothing new. Move along.

They are allowed their freedom to do whatever they want, covering this as a story is what I have a problem with.

I don't care.

Like others said, it's a personal decision that the players have to make. Tom Brady skipped going to the White House when Obama was president. no big deal.

I would personally go regardless of politics and who was president. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of these players and a great honor. But again, that is a personal decision and if others feel differently, that's obviously fine.

Add Chris Long, Donta Hightower, Alan Branch, and Legarrate Blount,

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patri...iP1M/story.html

Add defensive linemen Chris Long and Alan Branch, and running back LeGarrette Blount to the list of Patriots who say they won’t join their teammates on a White House visit following their Super Bowl victory.

Long responded on Twitter to New York Daily News columnist Chuck Modiano’s open letter calling for Long to skip the White House visit.

“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,” Long tweeted.

Modiano’s letter urged Long to follow up on the stance he took in September when he supported Colin Kaepernick when the 49ers quarterback was at the center of a controversy over his actions during the national anthem prior to games.

Blount revealed his decision on “The Rich Eisen Show,” and Branch told his decision to SiriusXM NFL Radio.

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“I will not be going to the White House. I don’t feel welcome in that house. I’ll leave it at that,” Blount said.

Three other Patriots — Martellus Bennett, Devin McCourty, and Dont’a Hightower — had previously said they would not visit the White House.

I never understood the whole trip to the White House thing anyways. So you were the Champions of your sport, big whoop.

I think Blount should let Le’Veon Bell drive him and they should both go.

J/C ....

I have probably disagreed with President Obama more than any other President in my lifetime. However, if I had had the chance to go to the White House in a team celebration after winning the Super Bowl, I would have gone without a 2nd thought. It would be incredible to be recognized in that manner, and shaking hands with the President, even one I vehemently disagreed with on so many things, would special.

The difference is these guys think the president is a racist. If I believed that I wouldn't go, especially if I were black.

McCourty and Bennett are just spoiled, stupid jerks.

This publicity makes them seem "deep". They think they're making a profound social statement.

In reality, they just don't feel like going.

That's all.

Couple of jerks. Part of the problem.

Maybe the guys who don't want to go are just racist against orange people.

Making a statement in regards to ones beliefs is not a part of any problem.

Just like your post.

so was Tom Brady part of the problem when he didn't go to the WH?

just want to know if the standard applies to everyone being jerks.

So, is that why Syracuse changed their nickname.....because they didn't want to be associated with Trump?

Tom Brady never actually gave a reason why he didn't go.

Matt Birk didn't go because of Obama's comment "God bless Planned Parenthood".. so knowing that PP performs hundreds of thousands of abortions a year and with him being Catholic, made the decision not to go.

James Harrison didn't go, just said it wasn't that big of a deal to him.

Osweiler didn't go, said it was because his new team, the Texans, was having OTAs at that time...

So whether or not a person views somebody not going as being a "jerk" is going to be completely related to how one views the reason they didn't go...

So if they believe the narrative that Trump is a racist and they feel the need to make a stand, go for it.. I don't really care.

I'll bet Trump is all broken up about these stiffs not going to the WH.

thats fine.

but Rocky didn't answer the question.

is Tom brady also a jerk because he didn't go?

i just want to know what the standard is.

Well he gets all butt hurt about so many trivial things I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't.

Oh, come on.... everyone loves a Muppet.

A lot of truth in that.

Some people hate the folks for no good reason at all

Has he sent out a tweet saying they are over rated and washed up as football players yet?

Did anybody happen to mention that Mr. Kraft has stated that everytime they went to the WH after a SB victory (5 times), that there was always a handful of players that did not go and it was never an issue and the media never brought it up until now.

Wonder Why?

Because previous presidents didn't run on a platform of fear and racism?

Over hype much? I suppose you get your news from the Clinton News Network?

You must have been asleep the last 8 years...

#RipVanWinkle
#SleepingBeauty

I recognize the right of each person to participate or not according to their own belief system, but you know, this is an honor even if they don't like the President.

Hey, I think the President is an idiot, but if I just won the superbowl, I think I'd go to the Whitehouse to be honored...

In the end, I don't get the need for a protest, but, to each his own I guess.

I kinda agree. Going to the w.h. doesn't mean you support or endorse the person in it.

And not going, while they may consider it a protest, doesn't come off that way. Be it Trump, Obama, Clinton, et al.

It's really a non issue that some are trying to turn into something else.