Storyline: Martellus Bennett is not the first. Tom Brady didn’t attend in 2015. But there’s more to the story of White House non-attendance and Bennett tells it especially well.
Courtesy: For the Win, USAToday
Former NBA player turned analyst Jalen Rose predicted it months ago. He said it would be a direct reflection of Donald Trump’s insults.
“Mark my words,” Rose told Sports Illustrated, “there will be players that decline the opportunity to visit the White House under his presidency.”
Rose’s words were proven correct prior to Super Bowl LI when Patriots tight end, Marcellus Bennett, was very open about not going to the White House if the Pats beat the Atlanta Falcons — which they did, 34-28, in the first-ever Super Bowl overtime. Bennett reiterated that decision after New England secured the Super Bowl LI title: he would not be joining his teammates at the White House.
But consider public reaction to that decision. There was this tweet: “RETWEET if you disapprove of Martellus Bennett who will NOT attend the Super Bowl celebration at the White House b/c he doesn’t like Trump.” That tweet received over 2000 response in less than 24 hours.
Courtesy: VladTV
Negative public reaction didn’t deter Patriots’ safety, Devin McCourty, from following suit. He told Time Magazine he doesn’t “feel accepted. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices, I believe some people might feel accepted while other’s won’t.”
Negativity from public figures towards the POTUS may seem disrespectful. But let’s not forget in 2015 when the Patriots last won. Tom Brady — The GOAT, the best QB to do it — skipped the White House celebration visit while Barack Obama was president — and without providing a solid explanation why. He was stretching at Gillette Stadium instead.
But Brady isn’t the only athlete who declined a celebratory visit to The White House. In 2013, for example, Ravens lineman Matt Birk skipped his team’s White House trip because he disagreed with President Obama about women’s choice and the work of Planned Parenthood. Birk is a Catholic.
Where do I stand on athletes protesting this way? Bennett, McCourty, Brady, and Birk don’t feel comfortable attending The White House and that makes their choice 100% valid. Athletes–just like all of us–have beliefs, opinions, and the right to express themselves.
Courtesy: Business Insider
What stands out for me, though, is when athletes do more than make a one-day stand. Martellus Bennett is one of those figures.
Consider his Players Tribune article, entitled “Dear Black Boy” (July 2016). In the article Bennett wrote to African-American youth about being more than athletes. He wrote about the obstacles they can and must overcome in life – obstacles that are much more complicated and difficult to get through.
“Exercise, Black Boy, Exercise your right to speak your mind, to pursue happiness, to seek peace and prosperity, to avoid conformity imposed by the small minds of society. Exercise until you’re drenched in sweat.” The end result will be sweet: “This is the greatest game you will ever play (life) – we need you!”
Bennett wants black children to understand there’s more out there than being an athlete. He also went on Twitter @MartysaurusRe to voice his thoughts:
Courtesy: The Undefeated
“My goals this offseason are to learn stop motion and how to play jazz on the trombone. What are do you guys have planned for the offseason.”
“I appreciate all of the love. I honestly just want people to look at black kids and not say he’s the next Michael Jordan all the damn time”
“This is part of the reason why I’m working to build Art Centers and Computer Labs for kids to learn to code. I’m not building gyms.”
Bennett is a role model for youth. By sticking to his decision about not celebrating in a place where he does not feel accepted, he’s teaching others the importance of following what you believe … and then sticking by it.
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