New Orleans Saints have yet to visit the WH. Is it because their owner doesn't like Obama?

[Poiuyt]

The New Orleans Saints have gotten their Super Bowl rings. But they've yet to make their traditional trip to the White House for a visit with the Commander-in-Chief.

Usually, the visit has occurred before late June. Last year, the Steelers made the trip to D.C. in May. The year before, the Giants stopped by in April. After the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, the visit also occurred in April. In 2006, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter adopted the Secret Service look, wearing his shades inside the White House on June 2.

So why haven't the Saints gone yet this year? The talk is that owner Tom Benson, a Republican, has resisted the trip due to his political leanings. Apparently, coach Sean Payton has been pushing the issue, explaining that the team has to make the trip to see President Obama, who was rooting for the Saints when they upset the Colts in February.

more-

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/24/saints-have-yet-to-visit-white-house/

If this is true, then Tom Benson must really be a prick. To deny his team a trip to the White House because he doesn't like the current administration is very small.

[gateley]

1. Uh, the President has been a little busy the past few months. Maybe that has something

to do with it? :shrug:

[babylonsister]

3. I think they would have been invited way before now. The Super Bowl

was in early February.

[gateley]

4. Yeah, I meant to write 'months' but wrote 'days' - edited it. Don't even know why

I bothered to give my oh-so-valued statement. I really don't care all that much. :7 :hi:

[GoCubsGo]

8. The World Series was won in October...

The Yankees just made their WH visit in April. If you watch, you'll notice that the championship teams rarely go to the WH immediately. It's usually something like six months or more after the fact. It has been this way as long as I can remember.

[emilyg]

9. Not too busy for

Beatles, golf, etc.

[PopSixSquish]

10. Now Was That Really Necessary?

[blondeatlast]

12. As usual, you missed the point entirely. nt

[emilyg]

15. As usual - I'm so sure you didn't.

[blondeatlast]

2. That is just petty, but it really doesn't surprise me. nt

[bluestateguy]

5. Every time Obama does one of these events he gets heckles from the teabaggers and leftbaggers

"Why is he wasting time with sports teams?!!! Waahhhhhh!!!"

So I can certainly see why scheduling this is not a priority for the West Wing staff right now.

[Angry Dragon]

6. He is very small.man

How many republicans do you know that think of anyone but themselves??

[jaysunb]

7. Well, the Lakers will be there

AGAIN ! YES !!!!

:rofl:

[pitohui]

11. yeah benson's a prick

don't know what else to say

[mascarax]

14. You got it

Benson is bad.

[madrchsod]

13. drew breeze is on the executive board of the players union and...

this month obama named him to the co-chair his renamed sports program. the st louis rams are the most "democratic" leaning team in the nfl..

[Cresent City Kid]

16. I was wondering this myself

Benson may be a republican, but I think he would see a White House visit for his team as an ego stroke. If he was going to make some kind of political stand, he's the type that would say something about it.

All of this is conjecture based on 25 years of local news coverage and one personal meeting. He was nice to me, but has said many things that make "prick" a fair description.

[Maru Kitteh]

17. He may "own" the team but he doesn't own their accomplishments.

Obama should invite them without the prick, if needed.