Monday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft commented on some of the New England Patriots players including Devin McCourty, Martellus Bennett, Chris Long and others not visiting the White House to celebrate winning Super Bowl LI, noting it is not the first time Patriots players have skipped out on going to the White House after winning the Super Bowl.
NBC “Today” host Matt Lauer asked Kraft if his close relationship with President Donald Trump has “strained” his relationship with players.
The 75-year-old defended the players who will not visit the White House, saying they are free to make their own decisions regarding the Super Bowl celebration.
“Well, you know what’s interesting, this is our, I’m happy to say, fifth Super Bowl in the last 16 years,” Kraft told Lauer. “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.”
“You know, some of the players have the privilege of going in college because they’re on national championship teams, others have family commitments,” he continued. “But this is America, we’re all free to do whatever is best for us, and we’re just privileged to be in a position to be going.”
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