NFL Player Chris Long Refuses to Visit White House if Eagles Win Super Bowl
One of the most esteemed honors for Super Bowl winners is an invitation to the White House. NFL’s Chris Long, who is one of America’s most popular players turned down his invitation last year in protest against the policies and behavior of Donald Trump. At the time, Long was with the New England Patriots. He’s now with the Philadelphia Eagles—who are 2018 Super Bowl contenders. So Long just may get another invitation to the White House.
When asked if the Eagles won, would celebrate with Trump this year, Long replied during a Barstool Sports podcast:
No, I’m not going to the White House. Are you kidding me?
My son grows up, and I believe the legacy of our president is going to be what it is, I don’t want him to say, ‘Hey dad, why’d you go [to the White House] when you knew the right thing was to not go?’ ”
Long is not one to hold back his strong beliefs regarding political/social issues—and giving back.
Last year, he was lauded by many, including former President Barack Obama, for donating all of his 2017 game checks to fund scholarships in his hometown of Charlottesville and promoting educational equality in Philadelphia, Boston and St. Louis. And while he has stood for the national anthem himself, he showed support for teammate Malcolm Jenkins by putting an arm around him during the song before a preseason game.
The NFL champion also supported former San Francisco’s 49er’s football player Colin Kaepernick when some of the media tried to throw shade on Kaepernick by comparing Long’s charitable game donations to Kaepernick’s generous philanthropy. Kaepernick has been criticized and hailed for his #TakeTheKnee protest which has become a monumental movement against injustice and police brutality towards African Americans.
Long continues to put himself on the right side of history while showing the NFL and the American people what strength, courage, compassion and true patriotism look like. Cheers to Chris Long.
