We all know the routine for what's nothing more than a photo op. The president makes a few terrible jokes and the championship team gives the Commander in Chief a team jersey with name emblazoned on the back then everyone makes nice nice as the cameras roll. Six players from the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots...Martellus Bennett, Devin McCourty, Lagarrette Blount, Chris Long, Dont'a Hightower and Alan Branch won't visit the White House. Most pinned their decision on political differences with the Trump Administration. This isn't exactly setting precedent. Bruins goalie Tim Thomas declined to join the 2011 Stanley Cup champs because, as he posted on social media, government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and property of the people. Not all the snubs were political. Celtic curmudgeon Larry Bird biffed an invitation from the Regan White House saying "if the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me." And Michael Jordan skipped one of his six championship visits saying he'd rather spend time with his family than George H.W. Bush. Not much was made of THOSE snubs...maybe a little dust up over Tim Thomas...but in this divided nation of ours, EVERYTHING is political.