Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has become the latest major North American sports star to reject an invitation to the Trump White House.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions will have a private gathering at the White House on Monday, which is a departure from other title-winning teams that met with President Donald Trump and his predecessors in front of the media.
Holtby was asked Friday if his support of the LGBTQ community factored into his decision to 'respectfully decline' the offer, as he put it. The 29-year Saskatchewan native has marched in several pride parades in the Washington area.
'It's one of the factors,' he told reporters. 'But my family, myself, we believe in a world where humans are treated with respect regardless of your stature or what you're born into. That's just where it's at with this decision. You're asked to choose what side you're on, and it's pretty clear what side I'm on. I believe this is the right decision for myself and my family.'
Trump drew criticism from human rights groups after banning transgender people from the military in 2017.
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has become the latest major North American sports star to reject an invitation to the Trump White House
Holtby said his support of the LGBTQ community factored into his decision to 'respectfully decline' the White House invitation. The 29-year Saskatchewan native has marched in several pride parades in the Washington area (pictured)
Speaking after Capitals practice, Holtby explained that it was not an easy choice to make – particularly because he did not want to disappoint his teammates.
'It's a tough situation for everyone, to be forced into making a decision,' he said. 'You're a team. You want to stick together, no matter what. I hope everyone kind of blows it away. That you don't worry about who goes and who doesn't.
'For me, it's just a personal thing. I believe in what I believe in. In order to stick to those values, I have to do what I think is right, but that doesn't make a difference in anyone else's decision. We stick by every teammate and their decision.
'There's more to it than politics for some guys,' Holty said of the annual champions' White House visit. 'There's history and pride in the nation. It's one of those pretty cool things that's been a thing for a long time. That's why we respect [the decision] either way.'
Recent champions like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia Eagles have balked at the customary visit to the White House, or were disinvited, depending on one's perspective.
Several players on the Warriors said they would not go to the White House after winning the NBA title in 2017, so Trump rescinded the invitation for the entire team.
The White House also canceled a planned visit for the Philadelphia Eagles last June; and during the 2018 NBA Finals, Trump pre-emptively disinvited by the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but only after LeBron James declared publicly that nobody from either team would be visiting 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
President Donald Trump (C) holds up a customized jersey presented to him by 2017 Super Bowl Champions the New England Patriots during their visit to the White House in April of that year. Brady did not attend that visit, citing 'personal family matters,' which reportedly upset Trump
Holtby insists he does not blame any teammate for attending Monday's White House visit
Holtby cited those team's decisions while explaining his on Friday.
'Once the first team doesn't go, it puts the onus on every other team in professional sports to make a decision, if you're political or not,' he said. 'Our team is trying to take the most professional way we can. Give every player the right to choose, and stand by each one of us, regardless of what you decide.'
Brett Connolly cited Smith-Pelly, who was waived in February, while explaining why he intends to skip Monday's White House visit. 'I've been in full support of an old teammate that I'm really good friends with and who I agreed with, and a guy who will be back here I'm sure at the end of the year'
Holtby won't be the only players skipping the White House visit. Forwards Brett Connolly and Devante Smith-Pelly both declined.
Smith-Pelly told Canada's Postmedia during the Stanley Cup Finals that his decision would be made primarily based on past comments from President Donald Trump.
'The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist,' said Smith-Pelly, a Scarborough, Ontario, native who is black. '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.'
Connolly cited Smith-Pelly, who was waived in February, in his explanation.
'I've been in full support of an old teammate that I'm really good friends with and who I agreed with, and a guy who will be back here I'm sure at the end of the year,' said Connolly. 'That's all I'll say.'
Smith-Pelly told Canada's Postmedia during the Stanley Cup Finals that his decision to skip the visit was made primarily based on past comments from President Donald Trump
One player who is expected to attend is team captain Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian legend who currently leads the NHL with 48 goals on the season.
While some players have refrained from being political, Ovechkin is a staunch supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, according to U.S. agencies, ordered interference into the 2016 election with the aim of hurting Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton.
The NHL veteran went so far as announce the start of a social movement he called 'PutinTeam' in 2017.
Following the Capitals' Stanley Cup win over Las Vegas last June, Trump called out Ovechkin in a tweet for his spectacular postseason (15 goals and 12 assists in 25 games).
'Congratulations to the Washington Capitals on their GREAT play and winning the Stanley Cup Championship,' read Trump's Tweet. 'Alex Ovechkin, the team captain, was spectacular - a true Superstar! D.C. is popping, in many ways. What a time!'
While some players have refrained from being political, Alexander Ovechkin (left) is a staunch supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), who, according to U.S. agencies, ordered interference into the 2016 election with the aim of hurting Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton
Ovechkin, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2018 NHL postseason, has said his praise of Putin is somehow non-political, stressing that he hopes for better relations between the two countries - a desire Trump has expressed publicly as well.
Holtby is not the first NHL goalie to decline an invitation to the White House .
Former Boston Bruins netminder Tim Thomas refused the invite from Barack Obama's White House in 2012.
'I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People,' read the statement from Thomas, who is now out of the NHL.
'This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government. Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.'
Donald Trump previously withdrew an invitation to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry hesitated when asked if he would be in attendance last September
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/23/capitals-goaltender-braden-holtby-respectfully-declines-to-visit-to-trumps-white-house/
Main photo article Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has become the latest major North American sports star to reject an invitation to the Trump White House.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions will have a private gathering at the White House on Monday, which is a departure from other title-winning teams...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/22/18/11335244-6840117-image-a-1_1553280431697.jpg
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