Three Members Of ’72 Dolphins Decline Invite To White House

[Tx4obama]

Three Members Of ’72 Dolphins Decline Invite To White House

In case you didn’t know, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the last NFL team to have a perfect season. However, I doubt highly that anyone who follows sports doesn’t know this, because every season we have to deal with their champagne-popping celebration when there are no undefeated teams left in the NFL. They have probably become the most tiresome group of ex-athletes in the entire sports world, as they are constantly celebrating the failure of other teams. They openly root for teams to lose so that they are recognized as the only ‘perfect’ NFL team in history.

This week, that group got a little more insufferable and annoying. Even though this team has been commemorated and lauded and stroked off more than any other NFL team, perhaps even pro sports team, in history, they were given the honor of being invited to the White House. The President decided that he would recognize their achievements by bringing them to Washington to be honored. Apparently, despite all of the attention this team has received over the years, they never got a chance to visit the White House and meet the President. Back in 1973, Richard Nixon was a bit preoccupied with the Watergate investigation to invite them.

Well, 40 years later, President Obama decided to extend them that privilege and have the team commemorated. Basically, all of the key living members of the team, as well as coaches, were invited to take place in the ceremony. However, as is always the case these days when it comes to Obama and celebrities invited to the White House, some of the old Dolphins had to bring attention to themselves by declining the invitation. Those players were Jim Langer, Manny Fernandez and Bob Kuechenberg.

-snip-

Full article here: http://sports.politicususa.com/2013/08/20/three-members-of-72-dolphins-decline-invite-to-white-house.html

p.s. To forum Hosts, this post falls into the 'politics' category

[AnotherMcIntosh]

1. They are "insufferable and annoying"? And more so because they don't want to be a prop?

Why should they have to be in anyone's theater?

Why should anyone think so?

[Tx4obama]

3. Did you read the last three paragraphs of the article on the link?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

5. Yes. So what? Slavery ended with the Civil War. These men are free to do what they want.

Here' the condemnation from the author:

"Here’s my pet peeve when it comes to artists or athletes being invited to the White House to be honored for their accomplishments only to decline the invitation. Essentially, this is gesture that has little to nothing to do with politics. This is especially true when it comes to honoring a sports team for winning a championship or achieving some other goal. It is just a way to give the highest possible honor that this country can give to that particular team. A way to say that you are greatly appreciated for what you have done."

"By declining the invitation, all these three men were looking to do was to draw attention to themselves. They used what was essentially a non-political gesture and made it about politics. They were members of a pro sports team that had already been celebrated 7 ways to Sunday over the years, a team that was already seen as tiresome and arrogant and insufferable, and decided to double-down on it. They decided that they were too good to be honored by a man that was elected President of this country. Twice."

"Here’s the thing. Getting invited to the White House to be honored for your accomplishments does not mean that the President will infect you with his brand of politics. Did Kuechenberg think that if he went there on Tuesday that he’d come away afflicted with Kenyan Muslim Socialism? Did Langer think he’d be endorsing Atheistic Socialism if he shook Obama’s hand? Was Fernandez concerned that the President would try to make him read Saul Alinsky? Seriously, despite being senior citizens, these guys acted like a bunch of petulant children."

[Tx4obama]

7. Has nothing to do with 'slavery' it has to do with GOOD MANNERS and acting like an adult. n/t

[hrmjustin]

2. Well you always have a few party poopers.

[NYC_SKP]

4. What they said, these three Racist Moron Freepers in the NFL.

Jim Langer, Manny Fernandez and Bob Kuechenberg can all three to go hell.

Gregg Doyel
Three Dolphins blur statement by grandstanding

"We've got some real moral compass issues in Washington," Hall of Fame center Jim Langer told the Sun-Sentinel's David Hyde. "I don't want to be in a room with those people and pretend I'm having a good time. I can't do that. If that [angers] people, so be it."

"I'll just say my views are diametrically opposed to the President's," Manny Fernandez said. "Enough said. Let's leave it at that. I hope everyone enjoys the trip who goes."

And former offensive lineman Bob Kuechenberg added: "I want to be careful, because mom said if you have nothing good to say about someone, then don't say anything," he told the newspaper. "I don't have anything good to say about someone. … I just don't believe in this administration at all. So I don't belong. Anyone on the left or the right has to respect one man's opinion. …

"I don't belong there, I'll tell you that," Kuechenberg continued. "Without being critical, I can just tell you I don't belong. It would be hypocritical of me to be there. I don't want to do that. I just don't believe in this administration at all."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23236793/some-member-of-72-dolphins-refuse-white-house-invite

Fuck you.

[Tx4obama]

6. The full quotes from up on the OP link

Langer had this to say in regards to why he isn’t attending:

"We’ve got some real moral compass issues in Washington. I don’t want to be in a room with those people and pretend I’m having a good time. I can’t do that. If that (angers( people, so be it.”

Manny Fernandez’s statement was pretty similar:

"I’ll just say my views are diametrically opposed to the President’s. Enough said. Let’s leave it at that. I hope everyone enjoys the trip who goes.”

And Kuechenberg was a bit more long-winded with his explanation. He also seemed to contradict himself when he said he wouldn’t say anything since he had nothing good to say:

“I want to be careful, because mom said if you have nothing good to say about someone, then don’t say anything. I don’t have anything good to say about someone. … I just don’t believe in this administration at all. So I don’t belong. Anyone on the left or the right has to respect one man’s opinion.”


"I don’t belong there, I’ll tell you that. Without being critical, I can just tell you I don’t belong. It would be hypocritical of me to be there. I don’t want to do that. I just don’t believe in this administration at all. So I don’t belong. Anyone on the left or the right has to respect one man’s opinion.”

[NYC_SKP]

8. They all three are fuckbuckets.

They are three buckets of fuck.

[CreekDog]

17. Their explanations are pretty mild and tame.

I don't see what the big deal is. Disrespectful of the invitation, sure, but I don't think it makes them "three buckets of..."

[NYC_SKP]

18. They could have just declined without stating reasons.

They are sports figures of some renown, they could consider that role they take as icons and show some respect for the sport and for their fans by showing better sportsmanship traits.

Of course they don't have to listen to me.

[NV Whino]

9. So what

Had I been (for some unknown reason) invited to the Bush White House, I would not have gone. Like it or not, it is political these days, and the duck buckets are entitled to decline for whatever reason.

[sheshe2]

10. Yup~

from your link.

Seriously, despite being senior citizens, these guys acted like a bunch of petulant children.

[Dawson Leery]

11. They have the right not to go.

I would have never accepted an invitation by Shrub.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. I would have prior to the Iraq War

[yellowcanine]

13. Yes but they made a show of rejecting the invitation. Lack of class.

They don't want to go? Fine, don't go. The invitation was gracious - Obama has nothing to gain by honoring these guys. Making a show of rejecting the invitation shows a lack of class.

[Sunlei]

14. to bad 3 let their team down. . from the WH pictures looks like the TEAM had a great day!!

[Rhiannon12866]

15. The Dolphins lost to the Cowboys in '72, but won the next two Superbowls

[nomorenomore08]

16. Okay, so it's the '72-'73 Dolphins if you want to get technical...

[Rhiannon12866]

19. LOL!

That era of football sticks in my mind since I really followed it back then. And I was told that Dallas was going to win, though I favored the Dolphins, and my friend turned out to be right. However, Miami did win in '73 and '74.

[Doctor_J]

21. 16/17ths of their perfect season was achieved in 1972

Thus are they known as the 72 Dolphins.

[Rhiannon12866]

22. But they still lost to Dallas... ;)

However, I acknowledge that they were one of the greatest teams to play anything ever, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris, Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, Garo Yepremian, champions all.

[Doctor_J]

20. attention-starved morons

If anyone were to ask them some specific complaints they had (see Newsroom episode Mock Debate), they wouldn't have a clue what to say. Congrats on getting yourselves on Fox "News" and Hate Radio boys. A large chuck of American thinks you're braindead hypocrites.

[Tippy]

23. Telling it like it is...Thank You