NFL legend Tom Brady’s decision to decline a White House invitation from then-President Donald Trump in 2017, following the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory, reportedly triggered a “chaotic scene” within the presidential administration. The snub, which came after Brady led the Patriots to a dramatic 34-28 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons for his fifth Super Bowl championship, caused considerable consternation for Trump.

Brady’s personal reasons

While Brady initially cited “personal family matters” for his absence, the underlying reason was his mother, Galynn Brady, who had been battling cancer throughout the 2016 NFL season and into 2017. Brady later shared an Instagram photo of his mother with his daughter, Vivian, hinting at the personal struggles. In a statement released at the time, Brady expressed his pride in his team’s accomplishment:

“I am so happy and excited that our team is being honored at the White House today. Our team has accomplished something very special that we are all proud of and will be for years to come.” He added, “In light of some recent developments, I am unable to attend today’s ceremony, as I am attending to some personal family matters.”

A president’s anger and player dissent

The news of Brady’s non-attendance reportedly infuriated President Trump. According to a Washington Post report, a “chaotic scene” unfolded as Trump, flying back from an event in Wisconsin, “grew angry” and “huddled angrily with aides.” He reportedly made several calls, including to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, worried that Brady’s absence would reflect poorly on his presidency. Trump nearly canceled the entire visit, a move he would later make for the Philadelphia Eagles after their Super Bowl LII win a year later.

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Brady was not the only Patriots player to skip the traditional White House visit. Several teammates also declined the invitation, many citing political reasons:

• LeGarrette Blount

• Chris Long

• Alan Branch

• Dont’a Hightower

• Martellus Bennett

• Devin McCourty

Running back LeGarrette Blount was notably candid about his decision, stating, “I just don’t feel welcome in that house.” Similarly, Devin McCourty expressed, “I don’t feel accepted in the White House.”

The incident highlighted the complex relationship between sports and politics, especially given Trump’s public friendship with Brady and the earlier sighting of a “Make America Great Again” hat in Brady’s locker in 2015. It also wasn’t Brady’s first time missing a White House celebration; he had also skipped a visit two years prior when Barack Obama was president. The tradition of championship teams being honored at the White House remains a significant, if sometimes politically charged, event in American sports.

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