Disrespected!
When Obama welcomed the NHL’s Boston Bruins to the White House Monday, goalie Tim Thomas, one of the hockey team’s star players, snubbed the presidential invite, staying home in protest of the state of Washington politics.
“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” Thomas said in a statement, adding that his decision not to attend the ceremony “was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.”
Thomas’ snub is not the first cold shoulder Obama has gotten from a sports star.
In September, when Obama invited 12 NASCAR drivers to the White House, two declined the invite. Although Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart cited scheduling conflicts, their high-profile hooky did not go unnoticed or un-criticized by their fellow drivers.
“Regardless of political views, when (president of the United States) sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept,” driver Jimmie Johnson tweeted, adding a hash tag with the word “respect.”
Later that month former Chicago Bears lineman Dan Hampton also chose not to attend an Oval Office celebration of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl win, saying he’s “not a fan of the guy in the White House.” Obama honored the team’s 25-year-old win last September because the Bears’ initial visit with Ronald Reagan in 1986 was canceled after of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
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