PFT: Steelers James Harrison Won’t Go To The White House

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Mike Florio on May 16, 2009, 1:58 p.m.

When the Pittsburgh Steelershttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/#) visit the White House next week, they’ll do it without one of the men primarily responsible for their sixth Super Bowl title: Linebacker James Harrison.

“This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30774814/),” Harrison said. “As far as I’m concerned, [Obama] would’ve invited Arizona if they had won.”

Um.

Um.

Um.

James, are you OK? Have you suffered any recent blunt trauma to the brain box?

It’s a ritual in this country that the major-league teams winning championships are invited to the White House for a visit.

So, yeah, the invitation applies only to the Super Bowl champs. It’s one of the things that make the accomplishment special.

And, no, the President doesn’t have the time or the desire to invite the 31 teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl to conduct seven-on-sevens in the Rose Garden. (After all, that might cut into the time he has allotted to work on his NCAA brackets.)

But, hey, at least we now have a better understanding of how the Steelers got Harrison to sign a long-term deal worth only $51 million.

[vta]

:confused:

Too many blows to the head??

[Rampage]

somebody forgot to tell him that Bush is no longer president and a black man is now.

[iceberg]

somebody forgot to tell him that Bush is no longer president and a black man is now.

heh, what a maroon... : )

[jay cee]

I guess he only wants to meet with true Steeler fans. He does come off as pretty silly IMO.

[ChldsPlay]

I wouldn't go either if I were in that position. No need to honor Obama. I know there are plenty of people who talk about respecting the office not the man, blah, blah, blah, but the office is only as good as the man occupying it. I wouldn't waste my time meeting that man (you can't meet an office!). I might make the trip to D.C. though. A vacation is a vacation.

[Hostile]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.

[jay cee]

I wouldn't go either if I were in that position. No need to honor Obama. I know there are plenty of people who talk about respecting the office not the man, blah, blah, blah, but the office is only as good as the man occupying it. I wouldn't waste my time meeting that man (you can't meet an office!).

I know what you mean CP, I felt the same way about Bush. Could not stand that guy, I have no respect for him no matter what office he occupied.

I would have a lot more respect for Harrison if his reason was political differences rather than who the guy roots for. I think that's kind of silly.

[jay cee]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.

That recent? I thought it started a lot longer ago than that.

[iceberg]

That recent? I thought it started a lot longer ago than that.

didn't marcus allen go or was that just a phone call?

[bbgun]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.

I know for a fact that the Skins visited during Reagan's tenure. He even threw a pass to Ricky Sanders.

[xout]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.


That's the most depressing news I've heard all day.

[Jon88]

This reminds me of Mark Chumura refusing to go because of moral reasons when Clinton was in office.

[Temo]

This reminds me of Mark Chumura refusing to go because of moral reasons when Clinton was in office.

I also remember him getting arrested (but acquitted) and then admitting "his behavior at a post-prom party "wasn't something a married man should do." In 2000.

[Aikbach]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.I don't think that's correct, perhaps that was the beinning of the succession but i know the '87 Redskins met President Reagan in the Rose Garden and gave him a jersey and there are photographs of the 1989 Niners in suits and ties with President George HW Bush Sr.

http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/c45191-9.jpg

[Hostile]

My apologies folks. I can't read. It was the first COWBOYS team to be honored as Champions. Not the first team ever.

[bbgun]

My apologies folks. I can't read. It was the first COWBOYS team to be honored as Champions. Not the first team ever.

Drop and give me 50.

[dcfanatic]

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/05/16/james-harrison-to-skip-white-house-visit/
------------------------------------
James Harrison to Skip White House Visit

Posted May 16, 2009 1:20PM By Matt Snyder (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/) (RSS feed (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/rss.xml))
Filed Under: Steelers (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/pittsburgh-steelers/), AFC North (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/afc-north/), Super Bowl (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/super-bowl/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/nfl.fanhouse.com/media/2009/05/james-harrison-noprez.jpg

Throughout the course of recent memory, the President of the United States has hosted major championship teams' visits to the White House. It's become a sort of American tradition. You win the championship in baseball, football, basketball or hockey, you meet with the President.

Apparently James Harrison (http://www.fanhouse.com/tag/James+Harrison/), the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a key cog in the Steelers' Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals, doesn't understand the concept. He's going to skip the White House visit (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30774814/). That's his right and there's nothing at all wrong with not going. His rationale, however, is a bit self-important (and by "a bit," I mean "ridiculously").
"This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," said Harrison.Um, dude ... that's not just how you feel. That's an absolute fact, and it's common knowledge. The White House visits are for teams who win the championship. If you don't want to go, just don't go. You don't have to pontificate about your selfish and irrational reason. What is the President -- who has a few more things to be worried about -- supposed to do? Just arbitrarily invite teams to visit the White House every once in a while? It wouldn't be special anymore, nor would it serve any purpose. I guess that's the way Harrison thinks it should be, though.

For the record, this isn't in any way related to politics. Harrison skipped a meeting with then-President Bush in 2006 after the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Sounds like he just thinks he's so important, world leaders should routinely clear their schedules for him -- even if his team misses the playoffs.
----------------------------

Was he high or drunk when he said this?

How does he not know about the concept of the championship team going to the White House?

If he said he had something scheduled already or that he hated Obama/Biden then maybe, but to say what he said makes him look like a dummy.

This reminded me of the McNabb thing where he didn't know the NFLhad ties.

What's in the water in Pennsylvania?

:lmao:

[The Ominous]

Definitely McNabb-esque. And that same thought popped in my head before you made the comment...:laugh2:

[Modus]

It just goes to show how snobby and unprofessional a player can be. Your team may have wanted it more but the Steelers definitely didn't deserve to win that game and he knows it.

Oh, well. It would be ultimate justice for Harrison to have his career ended in the wake of his comment.

[jobberone]

I could give a crap but I know I'd go just to see the White House in a way you can't do otherwise.

[iceberg]

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/05/16/james-harrison-to-skip-white-house-visit/
------------------------------------
James Harrison to Skip White House Visit

Posted May 16, 2009 1:20PM By Matt Snyder (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/) (RSS feed (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/rss.xml))
Filed Under: Steelers (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/pittsburgh-steelers/), AFC North (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/afc-north/), Super Bowl (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/super-bowl/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/nfl.fanhouse.com/media/2009/05/james-harrison-noprez.jpg

Throughout the course of recent memory, the President of the United States has hosted major championship teams' visits to the White House. It's become a sort of American tradition. You win the championship in baseball, football, basketball or hockey, you meet with the President.


Apparently James Harrison (http://www.fanhouse.com/tag/James+Harrison/), the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a key cog in the Steelers' Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals, doesn't understand the concept. He's going to skip the White House visit (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30774814/). That's his right and there's nothing at all wrong with not going. His rationale, however, is a bit self-important (and by "a bit," I mean "ridiculously"). "This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," said Harrison.Um, dude ... that's not just how you feel. That's an absolute fact, and it's common knowledge. The White House visits are for teams who win the championship. If you don't want to go, just don't go. You don't have to pontificate about your selfish and irrational reason. What is the President -- who has a few more things to be worried about -- supposed to do? Just arbitrarily invite teams to visit the White House every once in a while? It wouldn't be special anymore, nor would it serve any purpose. I guess that's the way Harrison thinks it should be, though.

For the record, this isn't in any way related to politics. Harrison skipped a meeting with then-President Bush in 2006 after the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Sounds like he just thinks he's so important, world leaders should routinely clear their schedules for him -- even if his team misses the playoffs.
----------------------------

Was he high or drunk when he said this?

How does he not know about the concept of the championship team going to the White House?

If he said he had something scheduled already or that he hated Obama/Biden then maybe, but to say what he said makes him look like a dummy.

This reminded me of the McNabb thing where he didn't know the NFLhad ties.

What's in the water in Pennsylvania?

:lmao:

i'd respect his move if he knew why he was making it. as it stands, clueless just took on a whole new level with this.

[djtavo]

Same thing could be said about your MVP trophy!

[Bob Sacamano]

ownage is going on in this thread

[TheCount]

ownage is going on in this thread

A lot of silliness as well.

[Bob Sacamano]

A lot of silliness as well.

you freakin' wet blanket

[SaltwaterServr]

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/05/16/james-harrison-to-skip-white-house-visit/
------------------------------------
James Harrison to Skip White House Visit

Posted May 16, 2009 1:20PM By Matt Snyder (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/) (RSS feed (http://www.fanhouse.com/bloggers/matt-snyder/rss.xml))
Filed Under: Steelers (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/pittsburgh-steelers/), AFC North (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/afc-north/), Super Bowl (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/category/super-bowl/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/nfl.fanhouse.com/media/2009/05/james-harrison-noprez.jpg

Throughout the course of recent memory, the President of the United States has hosted major championship teams' visits to the White House. It's become a sort of American tradition. You win the championship in baseball, football, basketball or hockey, you meet with the President.

Apparently James Harrison (http://www.fanhouse.com/tag/James+Harrison/), the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a key cog in the Steelers' Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals, doesn't understand the concept. He's going to skip the White House visit (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30774814/). That's his right and there's nothing at all wrong with not going. His rationale, however, is a bit self-important (and by "a bit," I mean "ridiculously"). "This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," said Harrison.Um, dude ... that's not just how you feel. That's an absolute fact, and it's common knowledge. The White House visits are for teams who win the championship. If you don't want to go, just don't go. You don't have to pontificate about your selfish and irrational reason. What is the President -- who has a few more things to be worried about -- supposed to do? Just arbitrarily invite teams to visit the White House every once in a while? It wouldn't be special anymore, nor would it serve any purpose. I guess that's the way Harrison thinks it should be, though.

For the record, this isn't in any way related to politics. Harrison skipped a meeting with then-President Bush in 2006 after the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Sounds like he just thinks he's so important, world leaders should routinely clear their schedules for him -- even if his team misses the playoffs.
----------------------------

Was he high or drunk when he said this?

How does he not know about the concept of the championship team going to the White House?

If he said he had something scheduled already or that he hated Obama/Biden then maybe, but to say what he said makes him look like a dummy.

This reminded me of the McNabb thing where he didn't know the NFLhad ties.

What's in the water in Pennsylvania?

:lmao:

Textbook example of the disgusting level of conceit we despise and detest in professional athletes. His proctologist must be thankful to have such a large specimen to work with.

[Hoofbite]

This reminds me of Mark Chumura refusing to go because of moral reasons when Clinton was in office.

I think this is beyond that. Moral objection, fine don't go. Actually I can respect someone who stands up for what they believe in.

Harrison is just a *******.

This almost sounds as dumb as if James Harrison was refusing to accept his Superbowl ring because they would have given it to the Cardinals if Arizona would have won.

[Hoofbite]

He should probably refuse his superbowl ring because it would have gone to the Cardinals if the Steelers lost.

idiot.

[Whiskey Cowboy]

WOW>>>dude wants the president to modify his schedule to meet with a non-champinship team?:lmao2: I guess he feels the whole economic collapse and the whole war things aren't as important as meeting with THE James Harrison:rolleyes: F him

[SLATEmosphere]

I hate Harrison. I still think he stole the MVP award from Ware. Sorry, but no one will ever convince me otherwise.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Obama definitely should clear his schedule for a roided up wife beater.

[Whiskey Cowboy]

Obama definitely should clear his schedule for a roided up wife beater.
for real. this guy has a decnt year and a really good year and he thinks hes more important that the president of the UNITED STATES....keep dreamin.as soon as he gets busted for roids he will be forgotten...

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

He should probably refuse his superbowl ring because it would have gone to the Cardinals if the Steelers lost.

idiot.
:laugh2:

what an idiot. i swear people really need to think before they talk

[Ben Roflsberger]

its the roids talking

[jackrussell]

:laugh2:

what an idiot. i swear people really need to think before they talk


The sad part is he probably did.:)

[Hostile]

Drop and give me 50.Sgt. Hulka?

[Yeagermeister]

Sgt. Hulka?

BB is our big toe

[mldardy]

I hate Harrison. I still think he stole the MVP award from Ware. Sorry, but no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Exactly. It makes me mad that this loony idiot won the award over DWare just because he played on the number 1 defense not because he had a better year than DWare. I look at what Harrison did last year as a career year, the best he will ever do whereas DWare will continue to have years like he did last year. Maybe not 20+ sacks but 15-20 every year.

[bbgun]

BB is our big toe

“I went to this doctor, well, he says I’ve swallowed a lot of aggression — along with a lot of pizzas.” (jabs Ramis in the ribs)

[lewpac]

It sounds like he's got a classic case of "you didn't care about us when we lost, but now you want to jump on the bandwagon" wiring.

I'd get that if it were the rotary or the Lions Club in Pittsburgh who were regular no-shows until they won a SB. Or if this were any other bandwagon person or group.

How can he expect the President of the U.S. to respond to THAT? The only way his attitude would make any sense is if Obama "came out" as a Steeler fan a decade ago, ignored them until they won a Trophy, and THEN extended an invitation. Then, he could say "oh, where were YOU before we won"? Other than that, he's got some side-ways and off-kiltered Steeler-bunker-mentality going on.

[Danny White]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.


I don't know which was the first, but I know Reagan had the Super Bowl champs at the White House back in the 80s.

[iceberg]

“I went to this doctor, well, he says I’ve swallowed a lot of aggression — along with a lot of pizzas.” (jabs Ramis in the ribs)


you can't leave - all the plants are gonna die!!!

[Q_the_man]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4173857&categoryid=2378529

One good year and he's already a primodonna. I hate stupid people!

[casmith07]

of course there's moronic commenters trying to make it a political discussion on ESPN's site.

That being said...my response to James Harrison is this -> :confused:

[hipfake08]

No big deal.... Let it go BSPN....

[Sam I Am]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4173857&categoryid=2378529

One good year and he's already a primodonna. I hate stupid people!

Nah, it's because you have to take a drug test before going in and he would be busted for steroid use.

[Wrangler87]

of course there's moronic commenters trying to make it a political discussion on ESPN's site.

That being said...my response to James Harrison is this -> :confused:

If it was a political decision, I'd be proud of him. I would not want to meet Obama either. But his reasoning is just plain odd.

[Avaj]

Some of you make it seems like he didn't want to meet Obama. He didn't go with Bush either. So it has nothing to do with Obama himself.

[AbeBeta]

I also remember him getting arrested (but acquitted) and then admitting "his behavior at a post-prom party "wasn't something a married man should do." In 2000.

Real moral standout that Chmura.

[AbeBeta]

Some of you make it seems like he didn't want to meet Obama. He didn't go with Bush either. So it has nothing to do with Obama himself.

It should have nothing to do with who is in the office. The PRESIDENT is honoring your accomplishments. Anyone who refuses to go to something like this thinks they are far more important than they actually are. Whoever is the president, it is a great honor to meet that person - you might not like the person's political stance but those issues have nothing to do with the visit.

[REDVOLUTION]

I think that's really stupid.

Off topic fact. Did you know that the first Super Bowl Champion to be invited to the White House was the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl XXVII Championship team. Invited by Bill Clinton. It has since become a tradition.

My apologies folks. I can't read. It was the first COWBOYS team to be honored as Champions. Not the first team ever.

Damn man, come on.


;)





Well, as far as Harrison goes. It could be for any reason.

He may not be an Obama supporter.
Living in NY I know alot of black people that dont view Obama as black because he is both and according to them "he acts white" and that is enough for them not to line up alongside him.


Anyways... I would go, regardless. Its about the house, not the man.

[WoodysGirl]

Damn man, come on.


;)





Well, as far as Harrison goes. It could be for any reason.

He may not be an Obama supporter.
Living in NY I know alot of black people that dont view Obama as black because he is both and according to them "he acts white" and that is enough for them not to line up alongside him.


Anyways... I would go, regardless. Its about the house, not the man.Those people are dumb.

One can suggest he's not black for a variety of reasons, but because "he acts white?" Oy, what *******es.

Sorry if that offends. Just in case these are friends of yours.

[mldardy]

Those people are dumb.

One can suggest he's not black for a variety of reasons, but because "he acts white?" Oy, what *******es.

Sorry if that offends. Just in case these are friends of yours.
Yes the whole "he acts white", "he sounds white" thing drives me nuts. We really need to stop with this crap everytime someone gets in a high position. I mean his wife is black, his kids are black. I don't know how much blacker they want Obama to be. I guess he needs to walk around with his pants sagging down to the ground and a toothpick out of his mouth. I love my people but sometimes we have stupid reasons for not liking someone.

[joseephuss]

If a person did not want to go the the White House to be honored it is certainly their right not to go when invited. I have no problems with Harrison not wanting to go no matter if it were for personal reasons, political reasons or whatever. Still in this specific case Harrison just sounds like an idiot. He would have been better served had he said nothing. His reasoning was nonsensical.

Someone on the local radio said that Harrison did not make the trip to the White House after the Steelers won in 2005. I don't know if that is true or not.

[AbeBeta]

If a person did not want to go the the White House to be honored it is certainly their right not to go when invited. I have no problems with Harrison not wanting to go no matter if it were for personal reasons, political reasons or whatever. Still in this specific case Harrison just sounds like an idiot. He would have been better served had he said nothing. His reasoning was nonsensical.

Someone on the local radio said that Harrison did not make the trip to the White House after the Steelers won in 2005. I don't know if that is true or not.

This is a team sport and with his refusal to go, he has made this story about James Harrison rather than the Steelers being honored. Yes, it is his "right" not to go. But more generally, he's just a selfish person who thinks it is OK to make this all about himself.

[SkinsFan28]

Nah, it's because you have to take a drug test before going in and he would be busted for steroid use.
not sure if you are being serious, but I did wonder if it was due to the extensive security checks, and possibly his rationale is just bluster for the fact that he couldn't get cleared. I know that a trip to the WH is not as easy as it use to be. (Goes for both Bush and Obama trips since he missed both)

[AbeBeta]

not sure if you are being serious, but I did wonder if it was due to the extensive security checks, and possibly his rationale is just bluster for the fact that he couldn't get cleared. I know that a trip to the WH is not as easy as it use to be. (Goes for both Bush and Obama trips since he missed both)

I would think that far worse guys from the NFL have been to the WH.

[Viper]

It should have nothing to do with who is in the office. The PRESIDENT is honoring your accomplishments. Anyone who refuses to go to something like this thinks they are far more important than they actually are. Whoever is the president, it is a great honor to meet that person - you might not like the person's political stance but those issues have nothing to do with the visit.

I couldn't agree with you more, well said.

[Nav22]

You guys realize this probably wasn't Harrison's actual reason for not going, right?

Maybe he doesn't want to give his actual reason because he doesn't want to start a big story, or alienate his fans.

This shouldn't even be a story. He doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to, and it's nobody else's business. Good for Harrison for being his own person and not blindly following the crowd.

I love how sheep hold such hostility towards free-thinking individuals.

[DIAF]

You guys realize this probably wasn't Harrison's actual reason for not going, right?

Maybe he doesn't want to give his actual reason because he doesn't want to start a big story, or alienate his fans.

This shouldn't even be a story. He doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to, and it's nobody else's business. Good for Harrison for being his own person and not blindly following the crowd.

I love how sheep hold such hostility towards free-thinking individuals.

If he didn't want to start a big story, he should have just kept his moron trap shut instead of going on a mini obama-didnt-care-about-us-before-why-should-I-care-about-him-now rant.

[Bach]

Harrison said. “As far as I’m concerned, [Obama] would’ve invited Arizona if they had won.”




:yathink:

[Hypnotoad]

If I was president, I'd cancel steelers and invite arizona just for laughs.

[DIAF]

If I was president, I'd cancel steelers and invite arizona just for laughs.

Hahaha

[JBond]

If I was president, I'd cancel steelers and invite arizona just for laughs.

McCain needs to invite the losers for a barbeque.:D

[Nav22]

If he didn't want to start a big story, he should have just kept his moron trap shut instead of going on a mini obama-didnt-care-about-us-before-why-should-I-care-about-him-now rant.This was hardly a rant.

Maybe someone asked him why he wasn't going. If he had given his real reason, or even offered a "no comment", many fans would be unhappy with him. The "no comment" could easily be assumed to mean he's anti-Obama or anti-USA by presumptious fans with nothing better to worry about.

The reason he GAVE was silly and didn't make a whole lot of sense... but I don't believe it's his actual reason.

I think it's more likely that his principles wouldn't allow him to put on a smiley face and shake the president's hand. And if that's the case, good for Harrison.

[DIAF]

This was hardly a rant.

Maybe someone asked him why he wasn't going. If he had given his real reason, or even offered a "no comment", many fans would be unhappy with him. The "no comment" could easily be assumed to mean he's anti-Obama or anti-USA by presumptious fans with nothing better to worry about.

The reason he GAVE was silly and didn't make a whole lot of sense... but I don't believe it's his actual reason.

I think it's more likely that his principles wouldn't allow him to put on a smiley face and shake the president's hand. And if that's the case, good for Harrison.

Well whatever it is, he's not going. And now its a bigger deal than he expected. He should have just said "i have other plans" or whatever....but instead he decided to rail. Harrison isn't exactly the brightest bulb in the pack.

[SuspectCorner]

Duane Thomas.

Good luck from here on out, Steelers. It couldn't happen to a more deserving team.