The New England Patriots did not have as many players attend Wednesday’s White House ceremony as they did two years ago when they won the Super Bowl, but the team feels reports about how few members of the organization attended this year are being grossly exaggerated.
For example, the New York Times tweeted a photo comparison of the Patriots standing outside the White House in 2015 vs. 2017, and it appeared Barack Obama had a lot more guests than Donald Trump.
Patriots' turnout for President Obama in 2015 vs. Patriots' turnout for President Trump today: https://t.co/OxMEOqZonI pic.twitter.com/pLmJWhOw1j
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) April 19, 2017
Apparently the photos were misleading. The Patriots were quick to point out that certain members of the organization were simply standing in a different place this year than they were in 2015.
These photos lack context. Facts: In 2015, over 40 football staff were on the stairs. In 2017, they were seated on the South Lawn. https://t.co/iIYtV0hR6Y
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 20, 2017
The Patriots said 34 players visited the White House this year compared to 50 two years ago, but the total number of visitors — including staff — was about the same. They also chalked the lower player attendance up to the fact that they have won two Super Bowls in three years, noting that less players came the last time the team won a second championship in three seasons, too.
Comparable photos: The last time the #Patriots won two Super Bowls in three years, 36 players visited the White House. Today, we had 34. pic.twitter.com/Aslvf1RaXU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 20, 2017
Of course, Trump himself also blasted the New York Times.
Failing @nytimes, which has been calling me wrong for two years, just got caught in a big lie concerning New England Patriots visit to W.H.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2017
Regardless of how many players joined the team for its White House visit in past championship years, we already know that several members of the team skipped this year as a symbol of opposition to Trump. Tom Brady may have provided a different reason for his absence, but many of his teammates were more than willing to admit they refused to go to Washington, D.C. because of who is in office.
