Rutgers grad Devin McCourty will not attend White House Super Bowl celebration

FOXBORO, Mass - Two members of the New England Patriots, including a Rutgers grad Devin McCourty, have said they will not attend the White House ceremony celebrating their Super Bowl victory.

The defensive back told Time that he would not be going because "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."

The winning Super Bowl team traditionally is invited to visit the White House and meet the president to celebrate their victory.

During the Patriots press conference prior to the Super Bowl and again after the Patriots 34-28 win over Atlanta teammate Martellus Bennett said he's "not going to go" to the traditional meet-and-greet with the president.

McCourty and Bennett, a former member of the New York Giants also raised their fists before a game in September in support of 49ers quarterback when he sat during the national anthem. Bennett has tweeted his views on the president including the message "I'm with her" on the morning of Election Day in November, a reference to Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan.

Their views are in direct contrast to Patriots owner Robert Kraft who considers the president a close personal friend after Trump helped him grieve his wife. According to Kraft the president would call him weekly and invite him out and lift his spirits. Quarterback Tom Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belicheck also consider Trump to be a friend.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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