The New England Patriots made a historic comeback last Sunday to win the 51st Super Bowl. Traditionally the team that wins the Super Bowl makes a visit to the White House to spend a day with the president, but one-by-one Patriot players have been announcing their absence to the White House.
Defensive lineman Alan Branch has become the sixth player from the team to announce that he will not be attending the visit. When asked why he simply said that he would rather spend time with his family.
“I’ve got four kids at home, so I’m just going to hang out with the family and continue celebrating until the next season starts,” he said.
According to SportingNews, Branch made an appearance at the White House in 2014 following the Patriot’s Super Bowl win.
Other teammates that have announce their plans on not attending are: Running back LeGarrette Blount, defensive end Chris Long, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive back Devin McCourty, and tight end Martellus Bennett.
Bennnett said “I don’t support the guy that’s in the house.”
While McCourty said he didn’t feel welcomed in the White House:
“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty wrote. “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.”
Chris Long is the only white New England player to boycott Trump as of this writing. He criticized his fellow white players in the league for being part of a “pathetic sea of NFL white silence” about Trump.
