Patriots Martellus Bennett Says He Won’t Be Visiting The White House

It’s been customary over the years for the winners of championships to be honored at the White House. President Obama has hosted everyone from the Cubs to the Miami Heat. With Donald Trump being good friends with Tom Brady, Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, it’s no question that the Super Bowl 51 champs will be heading to the White House soon.

One player in particular will not be attending. Following Sunday’s Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons, Patriots Martellus Bennett says that he will be skipping out on meeting the president at the White House.
“I’m not going to go,” the tight end said in a postgame interview. When asked why, Bennett responded, “It is what it is. People know how I feel about it. Just follow me on Twitter.”

Bennett has been very vocal on Twitter about his thoughts on Trump’s policies. On Monday, during Super Bowl media day, Bennett told reporters that if the Pats won he wouldn’t be meeting Trump, “because I don’t support the guy in the house.”

Bennett wouldn’t be the first athlete to skip out on a visit to the White House. In 2015, Tom Brady did not meet with President Obama, nor did Tim Thomas after the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011.  Steelers’ James Harrison declined to attend in 2006 and 2009, citing that it wasn’t that big of a deal. After the Red Sox won the World Series, Manny Ramirez decided not to meet George W Bush. Let’s not forget Michael Jordan choosing to celebrate with his family over George H. W. Bush in 1991.