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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deji Olatoye right, tackles New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett during the second quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deji Olatoye right, tackles New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett during the second quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017. ( Karen Warren /
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn left, breaks up a pass play to New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett during the second half of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle )
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn left, breaks up a pass play to New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett during the second half of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) answers questions as he sits for an interview during Patriots media availability on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) answers questions as he sits for an interview during Patriots media availability on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) talks on the phone whil walking to his riser to participate in a news conference during Patriots media availability on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) talks on the phone whil walking to his riser to participate in a news conference during Patriots media availability on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston.
Martellus Bennett has no intention of meeting President Donald Trump and shaking his hand.
The Patriots tight end and former Texas A&M standout has decided not to partake in the in the Super Bowl champion’s traditional White House trip.
Trump has often touted Patriots owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady as close, personal friends, and predicted New England would defeat the Falcons.
Bennett, who played at A&M from 2005 to 2007, is not concerned about any potential fallout from his decision.
“I’m not really worried about that,” he said, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. “I’m not worried about it at all.”
Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty is also boycotting the trip.
“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty told Time magazine. “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.”
Bennett and McCourty both raised their fists during the national anthem in protest of racism in America during a September game, a few weeks after Trump said 49ers quarterback and protest initiator Colin Kaepernick should “find a country that works better for him.”
They are far from the first to decline an offer to rub elbows with the President – they’re not even the first Patriots to do so.
Brady skipped out on the team’s 2015 trip to meet then-President Barack Obama. Brady cited a “prior family commitment,” but was later seen working out and shopping at an Apple Store in New York City.
Brady is expected to be in attendance this year, but that still leaves open at least a couple of spots.
Maybe Frederick Douglass is available?
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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