Article
by Lexi Clary
Starting
on August 30, 1865, President Johnson made it a tradition for championship
teams from the four major sports: basketball, baseball, hockey, and football, to
visit the White House to honor and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and
victory, as well as their volunteer work in their community. Although other
people in different professional sports are invited to the White House as well,
these are the four sports that people normally hear about. White house visits
are not only limited to professional athletes. While George W Bush was in his
term, he started the tradition of honoring each NCAA Division I Champions.
Thankfully Barack Obama has continued to carry on what Bush started.
According
to an article by Greg Bates, another tradition has sprung from the players
visiting the White House. Teams now make
it a point to bring the president of the time, a gift, to show their gratitude
for welcoming them into the house.
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| Photo taken by: Pablo Martinez Menials Obama parades his costume jersey in front of the press |
We
all remember the fantastic season the Royals played last year, claiming their
well deserved title of World Champions in 2016. That win got them a ticket to
meet the president himself, Barack Obama, and in return the Royals gave Obama
and several other Politian’s a signed team jersey with all of the team members
signatures on it.
The
college team that has visited the White House the most is the University of
Connecticut women’s basketball team, the Huskies. They have visited the house nine
times. That’s the most any team has visited.
Another
college team that has visited the White House four times within seven years of Barack
Obama’s two terms, is the Alabama football team, Crimson Tide.
As
anyone would imagine, being invited to the White House is a great honor.
Although through the years, there have been a few teams who have the title of champion and did not make
the the trip
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| Photo taken by: Paul Berswill Tim Thomas |
Tim
Thomas, An NHL goal tender for the Boston Bruins, decided to pass up the
invitation to the White House. Thomas’ explains on his Facebook page that he “believes
the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties,
and Property of the People.” He also said that “this is being done at the
executive, legislative and judicial level.” And because he has the right of a
free citizen, he “exercised that right, and did not visit the white house. This
was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible
for the situation we are in as a country.” And that was his choice as an
individual to make.
Matt
Brick, a player for the Ravens did not go to the White House in 2013 because he
disagreed with Obama’s support for planned Parent Hood.
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| Photo Taken by: Charles Dharapak Obama welcomes the 1885 champions, Chicago Bears |
The
Chicago Bears of 1985 wear invited by Obama in 2011 to celebrate their victory
of the time. The team could not make the trip in 1985 due to the Space Shuttle
Challenger disaster.
Although
politics and beliefs do play a role in some of the players attending the
invitation, it is still quit an honor to make that special trip and to be
recognized by the leader of the U.S.
https://youtu.be/f5HnIR1kemE
