Belichick fires back after being asked about Trump uninviting Eagles
Bill Belichick has been a friend of Donald Trump’s for years and wrote him a letter of support during the 2016 presidential campaign.
After Trump won the election, the Patriots coach and his team visited the president at the White House to celebrate their victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Last month, Belichick was appointed to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
So it was no surprise that the coach would face questions about Trump’s decision Monday to cancel a White House visit by the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles.
“Any reaction at all to the Eagles being snubbed,” a reporter started to ask Belichick Tuesday before New England’s organized team activities.
“We’re focused on what we’re doing,” he brusquely responded. “We’re focused on what we’re doing today. We want to try to have a good day.”
The same reporter tried a follow-up question about how New England will follow the NFL’s new policy on protests during the national anthem.
“Will any of the Patriots players be fined or punished if they kneel during the national anthem in the upcoming season?”
“I don’t think we’re doing that today,” Belichick answered. “We’re in OTAs.”
The reporter tried again, saying, “Just wondering if they will be fined or…”
Belichick interrupted. “Yeah, we’re focused on today,” he said. “We’re focused on having a good practice today. That’s what we’re out here for. That’s what we’re going to concentrate on.”
The Eagles, who beat the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, were scheduled to visit the White House and meet with the president on Tuesday. On Monday, however, the event was canceled.
Trump said on Twitter that “only a small number of players decided to come” — 10 to 12, according to The Washington Post.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
The White House said the full Eagles team was unable to come because of players’ disagreement with Trump’s insistence “that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
The statement said the 1,000 Eagles fans planning to attend the event “deserve better” than seeing only a small delegation from the team.
The administration still planned to hold a celebration Tuesday to “honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem.”
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