Another New England Patriot says he’ll take a pass on the team’s Super Bowl visit with Donald Trump at the White House.
Devin McCourty told TIME that he plans to skip the ceremony, normally a rare honor for professional athletes, because he doesn’t feel accepted by the Trump administration.
“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty, Patriots free safety, told the magazine via text message. “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 won’t be alone when he forgoes the White House trip. Martellus Bennett, the Patriots’ tight end, excused himself from the guest list following New England’s miraculous overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“It is what it is,” Bennett told reporters when asked if he would visit the White House. “People know how I feel about it. Just follow me on Twitter.”
Don’t expect everyone on the Patriots to sit out the team visit to the nation’s capitol. President Trump has a well-documented relationship with team owner Bob Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady.
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