Devin McCourty will not be going to the White House. (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)
We already knew tight end Martellus Bennett would be skipping the Patriots’ trip to the White House because of President Donald Trump, and now we know at least one teammate will be joining him.
In an interview with TIME, safety Devin McCourty said he will also pass on the trip.
“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty told TIME via text message. “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t. … I can’t imagine a way I go there.”
This isn’t the first time McCourty and Bennett have gotten political. Earlier this season, the two of them protested social injustice by raising their fists after the national anthem and gave lengthy explanations for their actions.
A lot has been made of the Patriots’ pro-Trump ties, as owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have all expressed varying degrees of support for the president. But Bennett and McCourty provide a reminder that there are members of the Super Bowl champions who are staunchly against Trump as well.
While politics in general and Trump specifically have been divisive across the country, it’s clear they never divided this Patriots team, even though there was obviously some disagreement when it came to Trump. McCourty and Bennett are sure to hear both applause and criticism for their decision, but don’t expect this to divide the team either.