Donta' Hightower and 2 Other Patriots Not Going to WH

Displaced Bama Fan

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Talk about a non-story. He didn't go 2 years ago either. He went with Bama, no desire to go back.
Say what you will, there's more to the story than he's telling. Regardless who was the President, if I had the opportunity to meet him/her, I would relish it. Honestly, I would have loved to sat down with President Obama and talked to him for hours to understand his point of view. I doubt that it would have changed mine nor do I think I would have changed his, but still to have that opportunity would be special. Granted, I know it's just a photo op in this case, but be part of the team and suck it up and put politics aside.
 

81usaf92

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Say what you will, there's more to the story than he's telling. Regardless who was the President, if I had the opportunity to meet him/her, I would relish it. Honestly, I would have loved to sat down with President Obama and talked to him for hours to understand his point of view. I doubt that it would have changed mine nor do I think I would have changed his, but still to have that opportunity would be special. Granted, I know it's just a photo op in this case, but be part of the team and suck it up and put politics aside.
He didn't go when the pats won SB 49. So it's really a non story.
 

day-day

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I don't blame him. I wouldn't go unless it was a requirement with my job. I've got too much better things to do with my free time and meeting a president means nothing to me. It doesn't sound like the NFL or Patriots have any specific rules on this.
 

Bamabuzzard

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Tom Brady didn't go and a lot of people believe it was due to his lack of affection for Obama. Personally, I would go. Regardless who is in the white house. Simply because it is a team event and I want to be there to represent my team.
 

Bamabuzzard

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I was at home eating lunch when Dont'a and another one of his teammates were on ESPN and asked this question. I thought it was out of line because they were on discussing the game then out of no where. They were both asked if they would be attending the WH celebration for the team and if they weren't was it for political reasons. But that's ESPN now.
 

Intl.Aperture

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Tom Brady didn't go and a lot of people believe it was due to his lack of affection for Obama. Personally, I would go. Regardless who is in the white house. Simply because it is a team event and I want to be there to represent my team.
You know, I'm not sure how much "team" spirit I would have as a professional in the offseason. If it was something related to football and the playing of the game, I'm right there with you - but I have a "team" here at work and we work very closely in disaster scenarios around the world, but that doesn't mean that I go to all the events that are planned in the off hours. I've skipped a few functions because I'm a grown adult with other things to do. And unless it's made a job requirement I don't have a problem with him skipping. It certainly hasn't harmed my team chemistry when I miss a function every now and again and I doubt any teammates are going to hold it against Dont'a.
 

Bamabuzzard

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You know, I'm not sure how much "team" spirit I would have as a professional in the offseason. If it was something related to football and the playing of the game, I'm right there with you - but I have a "team" here at work and we work very closely in disaster scenarios around the world, but that doesn't mean that I go to all the events that are planned in the off hours. I've skipped a few functions because I'm a grown adult with other things to do. And unless it's made a job requirement I don't have a problem with him skipping. It certainly hasn't harmed my team chemistry when I miss a function every now and again and I doubt any teammates are going to hold it against Dont'a.
I can't relate to professional sports. But I did play athletics through college so my mindset is based in the non professional realm. For the record I don't have a "problem" with him skipping. I just pointed out what I would do.
 

Intl.Aperture

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I can't relate to professional sports. But I did play athletics through college so my mindset is based in the non professional realm. For the record I don't have a "problem" with him skipping. I just pointed out what I would do.
I was about to raise the separate question you alluded to which is the difference is team mentality between college and pro sports. I think it's more crucial in the college stage. Like, it would be strange if one teammate refused to do all the pre-bowl game activities with his teammates simply because he didn't feel like it. Yet, as a pro if a guy with a family and perhaps other time investments did the same thing it wouldn't bother me.
 

Bamabuzzard

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I was about to raise the separate question you alluded to which is the difference is team mentality between college and pro sports. I think it's more crucial in the college stage. Like, it would be strange if one teammate refused to do all the pre-bowl game activities with his teammates simply because he didn't feel like it. Yet, as a pro if a guy with a family and perhaps other time investments did the same thing it wouldn't bother me.
Though I didn't play professional baseball I'm good friends with several guys who went on to play on the professional level. One just retired two years ago after a 13 year career in professional baseball. Thanks to FB I've been able to re-connect with them (along with most of my teammates from college). I've had several "IM" conversations with a few who played pro. It's a job. A highly competitive and cut throat job. You're playing/practicing for your job EVERYDAY. Yes, they get paid handsomely for it but they have to perform at a high level EVERYDAY or someone else takes their roster spot. The enthusiasm and "fun" you had as a kid when playing is gone. If you have family you better be ready to be told at the drop of a hat. "You've been shipped down to AAA. Pack your bags, you're leaving in the morning." Family uprooted once again.

To be honest, once you start playing on the college level it becomes closer to being like a "job" than anytime before. Granted, it's nothing like playing on the professional level. But you're playing with guys who are just as good or better than you are. The amount of practice and work that it takes to stay competitive is worlds different from high school and under.
 
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bamachile

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I have no issues with this. I also had no issues with those who chose to skip during the last administration, or any other. Unless it's in their contract, I would approach it as a personal choice.
 

selmaborntidefan

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This is such a non-story.

I suspect that there are some of those guys who wouldn't even make this noise if it didn't get them some coverage (and I obviously am not referring to Donta). I even "get" his position in this is basically, "Look, I've already been twice, there's nothing really new, I'd like the day or so off for me time."

My position has always been the same: if you play at the University of Alabama (or Clemson or wherever), I have no problem with you being required to go as a school representative. You don't have to like the President, but go and act like a mature adult. I felt that way with Obama, I feel that way with Trump, and I will feel that way in 2020 when Elizabeth Warren is elected President of the Socialist States of America.

However - if you're a PRO athlete and paid employee of an entity like, say, the Patriots, do whatever you wish. I always chuckled at James Harrison because it would be easy to diss the guy as a racist since he avoided going to see Bush....but he did the same with Obama.

Where did we ever get the naive idea that accepting an invitation as a guest of the President - whoever he or she is - constitutes a total endorsement of that individual's policies? That's as nutty as saying that if you buy Chick-fil-A, you hate non-straight people or if you shop at Target you want bathroom sexual assault to be the norm. (And yes - I'm using over the top rhetoric to demonstrate the insanity).

The only thing I find somewhat amusing about it is that when the nation's best-known group of Arrogant Whiners (the 72 Dolphins) got to go in 2013, their three players who didn't go got called racist.

I would have gone for Carter, Reagan, or Bush Sr if asked. I have no use for the last four people who held that office, and I'd basically tell them, "thanks but no thanks." But that's just me.
 

Bama Reb

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Personally, I think the players should go because it's a national sports tradition. National Champions are invited to the White House and meet the President. Regardless of who is President and/or whether you agree with his policies. You were invited not as an individual, of which race you belong, or what may be your religious or political affiliation or belief. It is because you are a member of the team that won the National Championship of your given sport. That's all it is, but it's still an honor to be so invited.
Don't believe it? Try going on your own, without your team, and see how far you get.
 

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