Patriots’ Dont’a Hightower Joins Devin McCourty, Martellus Bennett In Saying They’ll Skip White House Visit

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower is now the third New England Patriots player, after safety Devin McCourty and tight end Martellus Bennett, to announce he’ll skip the team’s trip to the White House after winning Super Bowl LI on Sunday.

Dont’a Hightower, Devin McCourty and Martellus Bennett to Skip White House Visit

However, Hightower cited a different reason than his teammates did for choosing to miss the visit.

“Been there, done that,” the linebacker said when asked about his plans Wednesday on SportsCenter.

Hightower also skipped the Patriot’s visit to the White House in 2015. He had already made the trip in college after Alabama won the national championship.

Bennett was the first to announce he would miss the visit just moments after the Patriots’ big victory on Sunday, and McCourty followed suit shortly thereafter. Both cited the fact that they don’t support President Donald Trump as their main reason for not going to the White House, although neither explicitly mentioned Trump’s name in their comments.

“I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty told Time on Monday in a 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.”

McCourty added: “I can’t imagine a way I go there.”

President Trump has long admitted he’s friends with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft. Kraft recently explained that he’s close with Trump because of how compassionate the former real estate mogul and ‘”Apprentice” star was to Kraft when his wife died in 2011.

Unsurprisingly, Trump predicted the Patriots would beat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Patriots running back James White, who set a Super Bowl record with 20 points scored– including the game-winning touchdown in overtime– is also reportedly deliberating on whether to make the trip.

“I’ll wait ’til the time comes and decide then,” White said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Devin McCourty #32 after forcing a fumble from Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)