More Black New England Patriots Players Say They Won’t Visit Trump
A second player from the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots has passed on a trip to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty told Time in a text message that he won’t be attending any White House ceremonies celebrating the team’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty said in the text. “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t”
McCourty turning down the chance to meet President Trump is in stark contrast to the political views held by some of the key members of the organization. Quarterback Tom Brady and team owner Bob Kraft are vocal Trump supporters, while head coach Bill Belichick wrote a letter to Trump during his campaign. For many football fans who don’t normally root for either New England or their opponents, the Falcons turned into the fan favorite leading up to the Super Bowl, only to lose to the Patriots in overtime after a thrilling comeback. For longtime fans and residents of Atlanta, the game took on a whole new meaning with some writers pointing to Trump’s insulting of civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis as a reason the Super Bowl was more than just a chance for the title-starved city to win the big game.
Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett also stated that he wouldn’t be making the White House trip leading up to Super Bowl 51 Bennett made his feelings known about President Trump.
“It is what it is. People know how I feel about it,” he told the Dallas Morning News. “Just follow me on Twitter.”
Bennett and McCourty were two of the more outspoken players on the team this past season. Both raised their fists in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the National Anthem in games last season to protest police brutality, and since then, both players have been on the receiving end of racial slurs and threats.
Bennett and McCourty’s boycott comes a few months after the discussion as to whether or not future NBA champions will visit the White House.
No word on whether other Patriots players will also skip the ceremonial visit.
Colin Kaepernick and what white fans don’t understand about black athletes.