Eagles receiver on White House boycott: I don’t think Trump is a good person

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith on Tuesday said that he has no plans to visit the White House with his team after their Super Bowl victory, saying that he doesn’t think President Trump “is a good person.”

Smith explained his decision to forego the traditional visit on “CNN Tonight,” telling host Don Lemon that he wouldn’t feel comfortable attending because of Trump’s past comments deriding women, minorities and professional athletes.

“For me, it’s not just about politics,” he said. “You know, if I told you that I was invited to a party by an individual that I believe is sexist or has no respect for women, or I told that you this individual has said offensive things towards many minority groups and I don’t feel comfortable by it, this individual also called my peers and my friends SOBs, you would understand why I wouldn’t want to go to that party.”

{mosads}

“So, why is it any different when this person has the title of president of the United States? I mean, it’s really that simple.  I don’t think it’s something that I personally feel inclined to be involved with.”

The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday to win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Championship-winning sports teams are traditionally invited to the White House to celebrate their victories. But several athletes have said they will skip visits with Trump. 

Trump has had a particularly strained relationship with the NFL. He ignited a feud with the league in September after he called for team owners to fire players who kneel in protest during the national anthem at football games and has called on league officials to pass a rule requiring players to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

After reports surfaced in September that the NBA champion Golden State Warriors were considering skipping a White House visit, Trump blasted point guard Steph Curry, who had voiced misgivings about the visit, and withdrew his invitation to the White House.