Tim Thomas Skips Obama, White House Ceremony Honoring Bruins

President Barack Obama honored the Boston Bruins at the White House on Monday for winning the 2011 Stanley Cup. But one of the most important pieces to their championship team, Stanley Cup MVP Tim Thomas, was not in attendance.

Why? According to Yahoo! hockey blog Puck Daddy, Thomas told Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli months ago that he would not attend due to his political differences with Obama.

"He chose not to show up," Chiarelli told the Boston Herald. "I believe he is doing a statement later. The reasons behind this, I believe he will make known in his statement. That's all I can tell you right now."

Chiarelli explained that he could have required Thomas to attend -- in which case he would be able to suspend him for not going -- but he chose not to. Despite his refusal to participate in the ceremony, Obama commended Thomas for being only the second American player to win the Stanley Cup Finals MVP.

The all-star goaltender certainly isn't the first athlete to skip out on a White House visit. Back in September when Obama belatedly hosted the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears at the White House, Hall of Fame defensive tackle Dan Hampton refused to go because he's "not a fan of the guy in the White House."

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison skipped both of his team's recent visits to the White House after they won the Super Bowl in 2006 and 2009.

UPDATE 6:45 PM: Tim Thomas issued a statement via his Facebook page addressing his decision not to attend the ceremony honoring the Boston Bruins.

I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. 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. This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT

Comments

[NHBill]

05:34 PM on 01/29/2012

It's his right.
I know that I would not have showed up at the WH when Bush was there.

[ThePen]

12:55 PM on 01/29/2012

"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. 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." -Tim Thomas

Give me a break, Tim. I am glad that our Federal government protected my rights, liberties and property by getting rid of someone like Bid Laden.

[Tmus82]

07:46 AM on 01/29/2012

Is this joker Canadian? Get him out the country.

[callie34677]

12:16 PM on 01/29/2012

He's not, he's American.

[Jay See]

07:59 AM on 01/30/2012

no he's not, because an American wouldn't have done this....

[jwilly32]

11:52 AM on 01/27/2012

The time has come for Thomas to go. He refused to shake the hand of the President of the United States. He is a distraction and bad role model for our kids. Please sign my petition to Bruins management:

http://www.change.org/petitions/boston-professional-hockey-association-inc-please-join-us-in-asking-bruins-management-to-trade-tim-thomas

[liebs94]

09:24 AM on 01/27/2012

"This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. "

YOU LIE
Thomas is a punk and a coward. Timmy, didn’t have the guts to say it was about Obama? Glad you got sat the other night against the caps. Can’t wait until you get in the nets at MSG. Hoping the Rangers bring up Sean Avery for that game!

[PitBull6]

11:43 PM on 01/30/2012

The poor persecuted Obama supporter. The perception seems to be, any criticism of the federal government is some sort of attack on the president. If it's not punk and coward, it's unpatriotic or racist.

[liebs94]

12:52 PM on 01/31/2012

Oh, thanks for clearing that up. I was certain “Federal Government” was a clever way of saying “Obama”, but now I see that Timmy has a Federal Government issue, which makes sense now that I know he boycotted the 2010 Olympics based on his stance on Intrusive Government. Thanks again.

[midnightdiamonds]

08:04 AM on 01/27/2012

So...do I understand that he chose to relinquish his role as a team member?

[callie34677]

10:35 AM on 01/27/2012

Only on that day. He still wants to get paid, of course!

[Andrea Doria]

07:30 PM on 01/26/2012

Classless.

[XLT]

10:43 PM on 01/25/2012

American born hockey players are some of the dumbest people on earth.

[SpringerJerr]

04:54 AM on 01/26/2012

that makes you sound like one of the dumbest on earth ! !

[XLT]

09:16 PM on 01/27/2012

FALSE.
Speaking the truth never makes one sound dumb.

[goldengirl43]

10:24 PM on 01/25/2012

Another spoiled, overpaid athlete (and 1%er) acting like the borish Bagger he is.

[bar1ed]

07:34 PM on 01/25/2012

He certainly has the right to as he pleases, but to give-up the chance to bring you're grievance right too the top is an opportunity that most people wish for! ...... Too each his own!

[Info08]

12:48 AM on 01/26/2012

Wow, you just made all kinds of sense with that remark.

[RegisteredIndy]

05:30 PM on 01/25/2012

To quote every bumper sticker in cambridge, mass during the GW Bush years...

"Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism"

[NHBill]

05:37 PM on 01/29/2012

exactly.
I'm as liberal as they come.
I would not have stood in the same room as W Bush.
So I have to respect Thomas' rights as well.

[RegisteredIndy]

06:26 AM on 01/30/2012

I can respect that!

For the record... I'm an independent and wouldn't stand in the same room as Bush.

[theMightyT v3]

03:15 PM on 01/25/2012

You guys know he's pretty much the only American on the team, right?

good for him, I say.

At least he has the class and the courage to keep it about politics, and not get personal.

[Drama Llama]

04:26 PM on 01/25/2012

He should of had the class and courage to go with his team.. Especially considering he is only 1 of 2 American born players on the Roster

[callie34677]

09:52 AM on 01/26/2012

This in no way showed class or courage, it showed he's all about him & took the focus off the team.

[John Roman]

03:00 PM on 01/25/2012

Another reason to hate hockey.

[RoboSmash11]

11:35 AM on 01/29/2012

One player out of millions has an opinion you don't like? Real mature.

[John Roman]

05:28 PM on 01/29/2012

I said "another" reason....

[taxpaying]

02:30 PM on 01/25/2012

Mr. Thomas, this was about honoring the team of which you are a part, not politics. Taxpayers have long utilized sports teams as a distraction from the crap and you are being disrespectful not only to your team but to the fans. I agree with you that 'both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country' but uniting around a team of which you are apart through the good and bad has nothing to do with politics until you did this. Congratulations on the Cup and good luck with the work you clearly need on respecting and honoring your teams in the future..

[JohnnyLawson]

01:10 PM on 01/25/2012

Be could have showed up to support his TEAMMATES even if he doesn't agree with President Obama's policies...what a selish pr**k!...and shuure it's not about politics!