At least one Caps player will not visit White House

Upon winning major sports championships, one of the most commonly asked questions these days is whether or not the team will visit the White House to be honored. What used to be mostly a formality has become a divisive issue under the current administration.

For now, we know that at least one member of the Washington Capitals is not planning to attend if the team is invited.

The Capitals captured the franchise’s first Stanley Cup on Thursday. While an invitation to visit the White House has not yet been extended by President Donald Trump, Caps winger Devante Smith-Pelly has already said he would not attend.

“The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist,” Smith-Pelly said this week, via NBC Washington. “Some of the things he’s said are pretty gross. I’m not too into politics, so I don’t know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don’t agree with. It hasn’t come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up.”

This issued received tremendous coverage during the week. The President cancelled the Philadelphia Eagles’ visit after receiving word that the team would only send a small group to attend. Additionally, LeBron James said neither the Cleveland Cavaliers nor Golden State Warriors would visit the White House after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Smith-Pelly seems to echo James’ sentiments.