Several New England Patriots players are already speaking out on whether they will join their team if they’re invited to visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
So far, at least three members of the winning team will not be making the trip.
Devin McCourty, a defensive back for the Patriots, who beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta on Sunday, told reporters on Monday that he would not be headed to Washington D.C. if the team visits Trump following their victory. He joins Patriots safety Duron Harmon who told TMZ Sports that he would be skipping the ceremony as well.
“Nah,” Harmon told TMZ after helping the Patriots claim their sixth Super Bowl title. “They don’t want me in the White House.”
Harmon, 28, said he wouldn’t mind visiting former president Barack Obama instead, which is what Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors did after they decided not to visit Trump after winning the NBA championship in 2017 and 2018.
“Hey, Obama, come holler at me,” Harmon told the outlet. “We love you over here.”
Devin’s twin, Jason McCourty, a cornerback on the Patriots, also told the Associated Press that he would consider staying home if the Patriots visit Trump.
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“I haven’t thought about it, but I highly doubt it,” he said when asked if he would join the team, before adding that there was “virtually zero chance” he would go.
When the Patriots won the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, quarterback Tom Brady declined to visit due to “personal family matters.” Other members of the team still made the trip.
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Last year, Trump called off the Philadelphia Eagles scheduled trip to the White House, citing the NFL kneeling protests after many of the players announced they would not be attending.
LeBron James and Curry, who were facing each other in the NBA Finals shortly afterward, to announce they would not be visiting the White House, no matter who won.
“It’s typical of him,” James said of Trump in June 2018. “I’m not surprised. I mean, no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway.”
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