After winning the national championship, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team will attend the White House to meet with the president on Tuesday.
Alabama beat Georgia in a thrilling overtime finish in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in January. Now, they’ll visit the White House on Tuesday to visit with the president to commemorate their latest championship.
This has become an old habit for Alabama under head coach Nick Saban who now has four rings from his time in Tuscaloosa to go with the ring he won at LSU. The previous trips to the White House did not generate as much interest or spark as much debate as this one, however.
The reason? President Trump has some critics.
The Golden State Warriors made waves when coach Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were vocal about not visiting the White House.
"“The truth is we all struggled with the idea of spending time with a man who has offended us with his words and actions time and again, Kerr said. But I can tell you one thing: it wouldn’t have been for the traditional ceremony, to shake hands and smile for cameras. Internally, we’d discussed whether it’d be possible to just go and meet as private citizens and have a serious, poignant discussion about some of the issues we’re concerned about. But he’s made it hard for any of us to actually enter the White House, because what’s going on is not normal. It’s childish stuff: belittling people and calling them names. So to expect to go in and have a civil, serious discourse? Yeah, that’s probably not going to happen.”"
While it’s certain there are members of the Alabama coaching staff and football team who may share those same thoughts and opinions as Kerr, there will be no dissension among the team. Everyone will be attending because as running back Damien Harris said, it’s a great honor and great accomplishment and they want to celebrate it.
I know politics can be a touchy subject for many people. This can be about politics if you want it to be. Or it can be about celebrating and remembering the 2017 team and the achievements of that coaching staff and roster. From the play of the defense led by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Da’Ron Payne to the offense led by Harris, Calvin Ridley, Bo Scarbrough and Jalen Hurts. To the late-game heroics of Tua Tagovaioloa, there are a lot of pleasant memories to shine the spotlight on.
And that’s what I’m thinking this visit to the White House is all about. Attending doesn’t mean everyone there is fully on board with the administration. And by attending, they are showing they didn’t want to cause another distraction for the team by boycotting the trip and having others answer for their absence.
Next: Biggest question facing every Top 25 team in spring camp
This is about sports, so let’s not make it more than it is by debating politics.
Alabama returns to the field for their annual spring game on Saturday, April 21.