2/4/2019

OBAMA/SPORTS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon said he doesn’t plan to attend the White House if his Super Bowl-winning team receives an invite from President Donald Trump. Harmon was, however, receptive to the idea of meeting with President Barack Obama instead. In an interview that aired on TMZ Sports, Harmon was asked if he’d go to the White House to celebrate the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII win over the Los Angeles Rams. He answered, ‘Nah, man. They don’t want me in the White House.’ Harmon was then asked by the interviewer in the video if he’d prefer to meet with former President Barack Obama, taking a page from when the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors met with Obama last month in lieu of a White House visit…The Patriots met with Trump at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LI victory over the Falcons two years ago, but a handful of players including quarterback Tom Brady did not attend. New England also went to the White House during Obama’s presidency following their Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seahawks in 2015. Brady cited the desire to spend time with his family as his reason for staying home, while several other players pointed to objections to Trump’s beliefs and policies”

Scott Gleeson, “Patriots’ Duron Harmon says he won’t visit White House after Super Bowl but would welcome Barack Obama meeting,” USA Today, February 4, 2019 1:22 pm