After a number of New England Patriots players announced their decision to skip the team’s upcoming visit to the White House because of President Donald Trump, Tom Brady has decided to weigh in on the matter, too.
The superstar quarterback, who helped his team take home the Super Bowl LI trophy with a 34-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month, said during an interview on NBC Sport’s radio show PFT Live Tuesday that “everybody has their own choice.”
Brady, who has had to miss the White House visit in the past due to scheduling conflicts, added that he doesn’t see a visit to the White House as political.
“It really is a great experience,” Brady added. “Putting politics aside, it never was a political thing. At least, it never was to me. It meant you won a championship and you got to experience something cool with your team, with your teammates. Everyone has their own choice. It’s an offseason. These days are valuable for everybody. You only get so much time with your family and friends, and if people don’t want to go they don’t want to go and that’s their choice.”
Multiple Patriots players have said they will skip the trip, including free safety Devin McCourty. “I’m not going to the White House,” McCourty told TIME. “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.”
Trump and Brady have known each other for years, and the POTUS claimed to have Brady’s vote back in November.
“Tom Brady, great guy, great friend of mine, great, great champion, unbelievable winner,” Trump said at a November rally. “He called today and he said, ‘Donald, I support you, you’re my friend, and I voted for you.’”
Gisele later denied it. But either way, Trump ― who is also friendly with team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick ― was happy the Patriots won.
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