WASHINGTON — A couple of days after Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts, President Donald Trump welcomed several members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots to the White House.
Wednesday was the first time Trump had the honor that predecessor Barack Obama, a noted sportsman, had in his two terms.
Owner Robert Kraft — who has already been on Air Force One with Trump along with head coach Bill Belichick, a longtime personal friend of Trump — presented the 45th president of the United States with a Patriots helmet and a number 45 Patriots jersey with “Trump” on the back to commemorate the visit.
A notable absence was quarterback Tom Brady, who made a morning announcement citing “family matters to attend to.” Brady also missed the White House visit in 2015 when Obama was in office, citing “family issues.” Six other Patriots were no-shows.
Trump mentioned the team’s resilience and the largest comeback in Super Bowl history in their win over the Atlanta Falcons, who were up 28-3 late in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI, only to see the Patriots eventually win 34-28 in overtime — also a first.
New England’s win, the president said, was very similar his win in the presidential election.
“With your backs against the wall, and the pundits — good old pundits (Boy they’re wrong a lot, aren’t they?) — saying you couldn’t do it, the game was over,” he said. “You pulled off the greatest Super Bowl comeback of all time.”
Gronk being Gronk
During Wednesday’s White House press briefing before the event, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski peeked in while Press Secretary Sean Spicer was addressing the media and asked if Spicer needed any help.
“I think I got this, but thank you,” Spicer replied, and Gronkowski asked “Are you sure?”
Spicer, a Patriots fan who grew up in the East Bay area of Rhode Island remarked, “That was cool,” amid laughter.
Over the years, athletes have either skipped the invite, used the trip to make a social statement or even forward an existing issue.
Of the six other Patriots absent from Wednesday’s event, four — Martellus Bennett, LeGarrette Blount, Devin McCourty and Chris Long — either stated or indirectly stated that the president was their reason.
Owner Robert Kraft told the “Today” show earlier this year: “It’s interesting. This is our fifth Super Bowl in the last 16 years, and every time we’ve had the privilege of going to the White House, a dozen of our players don’t go. This is the first time it’s gotten any media attention.” He later added: “This is America, we’re all free to do whatever’s best for us. We’re just privileged to be in a position to be going.”
A history of honorary jerseys
The event dates back to President Andrew Johnson, who welcomed the Washington Nationals and the Brooklyn Atlantics in 1865.
When Obama was in the White House, he spoke almost as a fan would about whatever team was being honored that day. With Trump, there was a noticeable difference, and his remarks sounded very similar to his speeches on the campaign trail and since he has taken office.
Obama was usually late to arrive, and most of his events were held inside the East Room. Players, owners etc. were made available to the media after the event wrapped up.
On Wednesday, however, Trump was early. The event was held outside on the South Lawn. And there was no media availability for any players or the Patriots owner at the end of the event, as Trump appeared to have tried to do the direct opposite of what Obama did.
The Patriots probably will do some hosting of their own on Sept. 7, when they are expected to welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to Gillette Stadium in what would be the 2017 season-opener.
