James Harrison Turns Down Obama's Invitation! WTF?!

[guyfroml]

I totally respect James Harrison not wanting to go to the White House. It's just a big bullshit photo op for the president and all the other politicians who don't give a rats ass about anything other than promoting their own wothless asses.

Way to go James - and NO!!! It is NOT part of a players contract to do "stuff" like that, so you obviously do NOT understand player contracts.

[tmgwarrior72]

maybe he doesnt like the fact that obama wants to tax the rich cause he is probly rich

[verybarryrude]

obama doesn't care about pittsburgh, its just like you said its tradition. oh slavery wasn't tradition it was a trend like war.like george bush, he was honerd that this was his war just like his father was honerd with his own. every great one is rememberd because the war they fought in. sorry for getting off topic.

[xxShannonGreenxx]

Yea, it's a tradition. At one point slavery was a tradition.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

WOW. THAT wasn't necessary. AT ALL.

Slavery wasn't a tradition. It was a practice. There's a BIG difference.

Tradition is like a holiday like Christmas. So by what you're saying, you might as well compare slavery to Christmas or the like.

I'm very close to taking back my previous comment about not namecalling because you're acting just like what you were called by 7d7e. Because you are definitely taking it too far.

[xxShannonGreenxx]

One man's tradition is the next man's practice. What's tradition for you may not be tradition for the next man. My girlfriend's family observes Lent..... I could give a rat's ass about Lent.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Visiting the White House isn't a tradition for ANY of us. It's a tradition for SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. As a member of a Super Bowl Championship team, he should respect the tradition bestowed upon the Steelers, and as a TEAMMATE, he should attend whether he wants to be there or not. He gets paid to be part of the team... So he should act like it.

[xxShannonGreenxx]

Sports teams are composed of people, and each of those people has their own traditions. He was INVITED, not SUMMONED. He get's paid to play and he played and now it's his off-season.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Yes, but you obviously don't understand player's contracts. Part of their contract is to do stuff like that. All of those NFL Play 60 and NBA Cares events that go on in sports cities... Appearances, autograph sessions, photo ops. All athletes are supposed to do a certain amount of those every year, especially if they are a well known player.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

And I don't believe there's such thing as an off-season for athletes. They get paid way too much to have a REAL off-season. They still train, don't they? So why can't they take a couple of hours out of their day?

[lancerfutball]

harrison is a retard

[7d7e7f7]

Completely agree, I don't understand where that guy is coming from at all. You get invited to the White House, you go, end of story.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Yea, like I said, even if I'm not excited to meet the President, I'd be excited to tour the White House. But maybe that's just me. I'm a history buff. :-p

[xxShannonGreenxx]

You go if u worship politicians.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Umm... NO. That's not it either.

I honestly didn't see THIS many people getting pissed off about this video. I kind of thought it was a general consensus that going to the White House after you win a championship like the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals was a GIVEN. It's expected. The owner of the Steelers probably wants him to go.

Remember people... What happens when players make owners mad?

You end up on the Bills (TO) or you end up getting traded (Cutler).

[xxShannonGreenxx]

Well if everyone isn't ASKED, then it obviously isn't a general consensus.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Well OBVIOUSLY everyone can't be asked. It was just a figure of speech.

But I've never heard of ANYONE turning down this opportunity before. As JRSportsBrief said evidently he turned it down before last time they won the Super Bowl but he wasn't an impact player. Now he is, he should try and live up to his "talents" & be a role model, not a selfish brat w/ money. You don't see the top stars in the NFL acting like this. You think Brady (who I'm not a huge fan of in the 1st place) acts like this?

[7d7e7f7]

Huh? Your an idiot. This doesn't have anything to do with politics. This is a tradition and a chance to see the white house and meet your President, it would be stupid not to go.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Thank you. My thoughts exactly.

[xxShannonGreenxx]

wow, name calling, how mature of you. I don't have a President, so I wouldn't go. He's the President of the United States, NOT THE PRESIDENT OF ME.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Just to clarify I wasn't agreeing with the idiot part. I don't take these debates to the extent of namecalling.

So are you NOT a US Citizen or are you just being a little bit arrogant and full or yourself?

[stevenash1386]

dis house

[stevenash1386]

like the intro

[chunga777]

I'm having trouble understanding why this matters.

What is real tradition is that things change and that people question old practices. Nobody has been harmed, Harrison just made a personal, individual choice. So there's no reason for any animosity.

Regarding you saying this episode puts down the president, why does this matter as well? The president is a grown man that receives far more abuse on a regular basis for things that actually matter, as opposed to a meaningless meeting.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I'm not really saying it's putting down the president, the MAN. I'm saying it's putting down the president, the position, like it's not something special to meet THE PRESIDENT. I honestly don't know too many people that would turn down the chance at GOING to the White House, and MEETING the President. If you don't like the President, fine, but you could at least enjoy the experience and tour the White House.

[chunga777]

That makes no difference either.

At the end of the day, every president, every politician, is just a man. Don't try to make it into some kind of religious experience, a pilgrimage to Washington. Go and kiss the politician's ring and seek approval from him. Come on

He didn't want to go for Bush, why are so many people offended he treats Obama the same?

Again, I don't see why this matters. An individual made a choice, for himself, harmful to no one. No reason to call him, as you do, a douchebag

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Again, I said, if he didn't want to go see the President, that's fine. But he needed to give THAT reason instead of the stupid one he gave.

Plus, if he didn't want to see the President, he could've just toured the White House like everyone else does. Chances are he's never been there before on a school trip or anything.

But like I said, he's let fame, fortune and success get to his head, like many athletes do, and thinks he's better than everyone else. So therefore, douchebag is the right term

[chunga777]

He also said it wasn't important to him. Does that matter to you?

Why is it so important to you that he go to the white house even if he doesn't meet the president? Maybe, like me, he could care less about the white house?

Fame and fortune have nothing to do with his choice. I think he's being grounded.

Calling him a douchebag is your right, but I think it's a weird for so many people, like yourself, to be so upset that he doesn't want to participate in a photo opportunity for a politician.

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I'm more disappointed than upset. Many athletes have disappointed me recently. I just wish more of them could act human rather than acting like their superhuman or something.

Also, he's part of the TEAM. If the owner tells the TEAM to go to the White House, the TEAM should probably go. Harrison shouldn't try to act better than his teammates.

While I appreciate you commenting, and respect your opinion, I don't think it's much of a debatable topic really.

[negrowithabrain]

If had this issue about winning and visiting the White House then he should have turned down the ring, hat and best defense player of the year...

AGAIN, IT'S NOTHING TO DO WITH OBAMA, DUDE!!! ALL PRESIDENTS INVITE THE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS TO THE WHITE HOUSE

You are the one who's trying to make this as a Obama the MESSIAH thing...which means you watch too much FOX NEWS

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I'm not making Obama out to be the Messiah. And I don't watch FOX PERIOD (except for House. And even then, I usually download the episodes off the internet...)

My point IS that ALL President's invite sports champions to the White House. It's tradition. I am well aware it has nothing to do with Obama himself. And I'm pretty sure I said that in the video.

But thanks for using my own words in your comment, and then trying to make me look like an idiot. I'm pretty sure it didn't work.

[str8philly]

LOL@MJ Wannabes! With James Harrison, I think he should go 2 the White House 4 no other reason than 2 be there 2 support his teammates. I don't care if he voted 4 John McCain & Sandy Palin last November, 2 meet the President of the United States of America is one of the most amazing honors anyone can recieve, & many people would die 2 be in his shoes, because he sounds ungrateful as hell. You spoke perfectly: "Meeting the President isn't the consolation prize, it's the grand prize." Nuff Said...

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Haha. Yes. I doubt Kobe nor LeBron will ever get 6 Rings. Because they'll never be great enough to carry the team all the way, and I doubt they'll ever get a supporting cast as great as Rodman and Pippen.

On meeting the President, there were a lot of players in past years that went to the White House, who probably REALLY didn't like Bush, and didn't vote for him. But they were probably happier than a kid in a candy store to meet the President because it doesn't happen everyday.

[str8philly]

That is 100% the exact reason why I asked the question I asked, because Bush may have beenthe most hated President we've ever had in this country, but you didn't hear too many players saying "I hate him!," or "I voted for John Kerry/Al Gore!" or any other excuse to get out of meeting him. I think with Kobe, people realize he'll never be MJ, & until he wins a few rings-(without Shaq), he could never be mentioned in that category.

[str8philly]

With LeBron, the NBA-(& fans) want him 2 be "the next MJ" so bad, it's crazy, & while he's an amazing talent, he needs 2 win @ least 3-4 rings before I even think of placing him in the same stratosphere let alone the same planet as MJ. I agree with the supporting cast, the Bulls had Cartwright, Purdue, Hodges, Paxson, & Armstrong, for their 1st 3-peat, then for their next 3 rings they had Rodman, Kerr, Kukoc, Williams, etc. So while MJ & Pippen were leaders, they also had a great supporting cast

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I agree. I just can't get behind the LeBron is the next "Golden Child" of the NBA. I respect Kobe's skills more than LeBrons. Kobe has the "clutch" factor as I've said many times before. I'd put the ball in Kobe's hands with 1.3 seconds to go down by 2 before I would LeBron's.

[str8philly]

Absolutely, positively agreed. Somehow, I think if the Lakers & Cavs both make it to the Finals & we get the Kobe-LeBron matchup, the last thing I would want to happen would be for LeBron to have great games & win the title because all of his fans will declare "he'll be way better than MJ within the next 2-3 years", or "he's the best that ever played the game now!!!" We'll never hear the end of it.....EVER.......

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Ugh, I know. It's ridiculous how many people are behind him already.

The only thing I'm impressed with is the acting he does in his commercials. LOL

Meet The LeBrons and the State Farm? commercial where he's dancing to some CD from his friend's robbed car.

[str8philly]

Yeah, i can't lie, those "Meet The LeBrons" commercials are some of the best on tv, & that State Farm commercial is pretty funny too, the way they're dancing to that Kid-N-Play cd while the guy is sitting there sad about his car being wrecked....LOL

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Haha, yea. I was blanking on the name of the CD. haha. But that dance is priceless. lol

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Another note on the MJ Wannabes.

I was at Hooters watching one of the Lakers/Houston games (Game 2 I think?)

And there was this drunk dude who kept yelling OVER and OVER throughout the night.

"Hey Kobe! You're not Michael Jordan! Michael Jordan scored 50 points a QUARTER!"

Haha. While that's funny and very much an exaggeration, it was rather annoying. But funny all the same. LOL

[str8philly]

He asked 4 more money, got it, & 4 him to makeup something like that, is crazy! My Philadelphia Phillies went to the White House last Thursday 2 meet the President & if one of my Phillies had said this, I'd be blasting him the same way. Championship teams have been going to the White House for years, & like you said, if you don't wanna go, fine, but that lameass excuse is horrible. Meeting the President is an honor, especially when he's probably as happy 2 meet you as you could be 2 meet him....

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

Yea, this is probably the first President that's an EXTREME sports fanatic, from what I've heard.

If 76ers had won the NBA Finals this year, that'd be a sweep of the 3 MAJOR sports championships (state of Pennsylvania anyways... Not Philly itself)

But yea, to me, tradition is EVERYTHING in sports, college and pro. So he should be grateful for this opportunity.

[JRSportBrief]

My sentiments exactly! I just think he had a brain lock and misspoke....I hope....

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I hope so. It's just sad that fame, fortune, and most of all, success, goes to these guys heads. Part of it might be money because I don't think they actually get paid to visit the White House. So maybe he's just making an excuse to not sound so greedy? I don't know what goes through these players heads these days. But most of them are just flat out disappointing me as a sports fan. If there were more guys with Shane Battier's personality/attitude... sports would be a better place.

[str8philly]

Agreed, "Sports would be a better place with more guys with Battier's personality/attitude." Exactly, Obama follows all the sports constantly,he's very good friends with the Steelers' owner,& he follows the Steelers' as well. Here's a question for you, JR,& anyone else that watches this vid: Did James Harrison act like this in '05-'06 when the Steelers' won the Championship then? Because this is the 1st time I've ever heard someone give an excuse like this 4 not wanting 2 visit the White House

[JRSportBrief]

I sure didn't hear about it! I think at that time he was still mainly special teams....

[str8philly]

Exactly what I was thinking, because if he pulled this stunt back then, it would've been publicized, & maybe even understood more if he would've came out & said "I'm not fond of President Bush, I'll have to pass on meeting him in person...." this story still blows my mind though, deep inside, I think there's something going on with James Harrison that we know nothing about, because a lame excuse like this makes no sense......

[JRSportBrief]

I looked it up. He didn't go that time either...but at that time he was a scrub. At least he's consistent!

[str8philly]

HaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!! No doubt!!!!

[str8philly]

Congrats on a great season for your Rockets man. They gave it their all, & came up a little short against a better team, the same thing happened to my 76ers against Orlando last month, so as long as your team played hard, that's all you can ask for as a fan. Now, James Harrison=What a douchebag! "If Obama wanted to meet us, he would've invited us even if we'd lost the Super Bowl, I bet he would've invited Arizona if they had won." No shit! He accepted that ring, the praise, the "DPOY" award, etc

[NoPlaceLikeHomeField]

I was SERIOUSLY going to put that at the end of my video in text format. lol

In Conclusion...

James Harrison is a DOUCHEBAG.

lol

But thanks. I'm proud of what we've accomplished. Couldn't be prouder. But honestly I'm hoping for a Nuggets/Magic matchup. That would be more interesting to me than Kobe/LeBron, because let's be honest. That's what it'd be. I'd rather watch two TEAMS go at it than 2 full of themselves Michael Jordan wannabes. LOL