Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison's Lame Excuse To Snub White House Visit

[meegbear]

Okay, I'm confess I'm one of those who rolls her eyes at the sports threads that pop up here from time to time. And I don't like football, so I don't honestly really know who James Harrison is, but this just struck me as everything that's wrong with professional sports these days.

On Thursday, President Obama will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to the White House to honor the team for its recent Super Bowl victory. But, just like in 2006 when the Steelers had a post-title meeting with George W. Bush, defensive MVP (and Super Bowl hero) James Harrison won't be in attendance. But he has a good reason:

"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."

Usually, when a sentence begins with "as far as I'm concerned," it ends with an opinion, not an incontrovertible fact. Harrison's comment is akin to saying, "As far as I'm concerned, George Washington was the first president."

Of course the Cards would have received the White House invite if they had won. Winners get to go meet the president, losers don't. They also get the trophy, the parade and those hats that say "Super Bowl champs". I don't think James Harrison turned down any of those things, which makes his refusal to go to the White House a tad hypocritical.

Seriously, WTF is this? I'm slightly less offended with the knowledge that Harrison similarly snubbed Bush43, so it's not like the hypocritical ASU or the Notre Dame pearl clutchers, but it is still one of those asinine low-information moments that just make people hate these overpriced divas in the NFL.

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/pittsburgh-steeler-james-harrisons-la

[Raskolnik]

1. He's a goof, but no one is obligated to attend.

I kind of like the fact that a private citizen can say "no thanks" to an invite from the head of state.

[Arkana]

2. No, Harrison's just retarded and doesn't understand the concept

of the President inviting the Super Bowl winner to the White House, like he does with the NBA Finals champs, the World Series champs, the Stanley Cup winners, and every other major sport's championship team.

I wonder if someone sat him down and explained it to him in very small words.

[JonLP24]

3. Atleast he is consistent

He didn't go to the one with Bush either. Doesn't bother me at all and I'm Cardinals and a HUGE sports fan.

[petronius]

4. They won the Super Bowl - Obama should come to him!

:rofl:

What a goof - does he really not understand that a WH invitation is to honor an achievement, not because the president really admires the specific invitee?

[JonLP24]

5. A comment that made me add another post

This 'over-payed' argument. These athletes sell tickets, jerseys, and people by the millions watch them on TV. They provide the entertainment but it is the owner sitting comfortably in a sky box collecting millions if not billions for these people getting hit by 250 lb linebackers at blazing speed. They deserve every penny and they do provide an entertainment that is bought and sold. Actors, actresses, directors, etc make millions sometimes billions and rightfully so. They make money of movies bought and sold by the public wanting to be entertained. It is entertainment and fat cats that never play a down make money off of the entertainment these athletes that spend their whole lives practicing, training, weight-lifting, speed training, etc that millions committ there lives to but only a select few of individuals get to be picked to play professionally. No one is overpaid, if they were overpaid then so are actors but the point is it is entertainment industry that produces billions of revenue and the actual athletes collect a small percentage of it.

edited to add. If you are a starter for the Yankees *cough* A-Rod *cough* you're overpaid but that is totally different issues

[Gemini Cat]

12. You get it.

I've said this for years.

[Baclava]

6. He didn't go see Boosh after SB XL either.

Leave the man alone




I'm behind you James, keep drinking that blood and eating raw meat, you have to get into shape for the season.

Go Steelers!

[Bill McBlueState]

7. Yeah, I'm a Steelers fan and I really don't get it either

In any case, I'm happy that Harrison gets paid to make tackles and interceptions, not coherent statements of opinion.

[Baclava]

9. He was attempting to make a joke. It didn't go well.

Here's the video of the entire interview -

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-534/Video--Harrison-rejects-White-House-visit.html

We all know he's a bit odd. He just doesn't think it's that important to him. Whatever.


Now get out there and hit somebody.

[bsd13]

8. Don't understand why this is an issue

Would your opinion be any different had Bush (or any other
republican President) been doing the inviting? The man doesn't
want to attend, he's not obligated too. Personally I think he
should because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but
still there's no reason that he should be compelled to do so.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. He'd be a dick if he wanted to meet Bush.

Only dicks want to meet Bush, only dicks want to avoid meeting Obama.

[Baclava]

15. It's only a story because people love to hate the The Champs.

His list of deeds on the field is becoming legendary - planting that Brownstains fan running out on the field, singlehandedly trashing the Ratbirds on MNF, that freakin' suh-weet SB XLIII TD and on and on and on.

Yet he appreciates his fans, quietly disses the limelight and just wants to be left alone.

A great Steeler.

[zbdent]

18. actually, for Harrison, it was a twice in a lifetime opportunity ...

and he did "snub" Bush43 then, too ...

and that's why I'm not getting all uptight about him not going ...

however, I also remember that Obama was pictured with and endorsed by the Stillers' owner ... so Obama did actually meet the "Steelers" in 2008 well before they won the Superbowl ...

[Onceuponalife]

10. He is planning to stay home and snort blow that day

to each his own.

[HopeOverFear]

13. Like someone said on GD:P when this topic was posted

"they don't pay him for his critical thinking skills" :rofl:

[chollybocker]

14. The only snub is to his teammates and coaches and

the owner who pays his hefty salary. If he has no legit reason not to, he should suit up and get out there and represent his TEAM (no 'i').

[Baclava]

17. Bullcrap

I love how this guy refuses to be anything but angry, and using that as his fuel.

So he has a 'chip on his shoulder', to stay-motivated, proving that the big-money doesn't mean a thing to him, keeps him hungry and focused come the beginning of the season.

He ain't hurting anybody, not hurting the reputation of the team, the league, nor the office of the President, and it's his decision.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. BREAKING: Steeler Declines WH Invite - To Sit In Idol Suite At NASCAR Race Instead

Jesus Christ on Rye Toast... Could you BE any more judgmental? No one is under ANY obligation to accept an invitation ANYWHERE, even the White House. What's your beef anyway? That he declined an invitation to visit the White House, or that he declined an invitation to visit with Barack Obama? I'd bet money it's the latter, rather than the former (otherwise, why only "slightly" less offended that he declined an invite from B43?).

Barack Obama is the President, not a god. If Harrison or anyone else declines an invite from him, oh well, get over it and move on. Don't let it ruin your day. There ARE more important things to be outraged over. American citizens are not obligated to come running when their president beckons. They never have been.

By the way, the end of the NASCAR All-Star race Saturday was wicked exciting. I had to restrain Paula Abdul when Smoke passed Kenseth with two laps to go. She nearly fell out of the suite... who knew she was a NASCAR fan?

[armyowalgreens]

19. This is an ASU student that has snapped...

Enough with the ASU shit. Seriously. I'm getting so fucking tired of everyone bitching about how ASU degrees aren't worth the paper they're printed on. The media has torn us apart. You guys have torn us apart. Fucking ENOUGH.

The morons that made the decision were a few out of many thousands of loyal employees that don't have their heads up their ass. ASU has 67,000 students. The majority of them are nothing like what has been seen on TV in the past weeks.

I'm just fucking tired of it. Blame it on President Crow and the Board. Don't blame it on ASU.

/rant.

[TexasObserver]

20. Who?

I can't get excited about dunderheaded sports pros, no matter what they say or do. He's an overgrown boy who plays a game for a living.