Agent Defends James Harrison, Says LB Still Respects President

Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who has caused a firestorm nationally over his refusal to visit the White House and meet President Obama, still respects the president, his agent told FanHouse on Tuesday. The Steelers are visiting the White House on Thursday, a tradition and invitation extended to all championship teams.

Harrison is getting ripped for this statement to a Pittsburgh television station last week: "This is how I feel, if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he would've invited Arizona if they had won."

More From Calvin Watkins: Harrison Should Go to the White House

Some in the African-American community have criticized Harrison for not accepting the invitation to meet the country's first African-American president. Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, said that his client is proud that America has an African-American president.

But Harrison's still not going.

"That is not an issue," Parise said regarding a lack of pride from Harrison in Obama. "This is not political. He just doesn't want to go. Sometimes we put our values on somebody else and that's not fair. James is very respectful of the president. Proud of the fact we have a qualified man regardless of his race."

Harrison also refused to go to the White House when the Steelers were invited after the 2006 Super Bowl.

"I would not want to speak for James," Parise said. "But I know he's proud of whoever we elected president. No one from the Steelers expected James to go anyway and I'm not aware of him talking to the team about it."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

5-19-2009 @ 6:57PM

D_Average said...

I don't care if you like Obama or you like Bush, his reasoning for not going was possibly the stupidest thing ever uttered by an athlete. For his sake, I hope he's not that dense and was just under the influence or something.

5-19-2009 @ 11:25PM

Hugh said...

Hahahahaha, he cracked the code! The president invites the winning team! What a rocket scientist! Can we get him working for NASA? Oh, uh, never mind...

5-20-2009 @ 1:04PM

dskaalrud5 said...

As a US citizen, he is free to do what he thinks is best for him, and if that means not seeing the President, then so be it. It's his right to do what he wants without everyone getting their undies in a bunch over it.

5-19-2009 @ 7:00PM

FUNNY MAN DAN said...

He's a jerk and I am an African American. When he goes to washington he should get booed to the high heavens. He sounds dumb and stupid. IT's a tradition for any president to invite the winning team. He's sounds dumb and his agent is trying to cover for his ass. Thanks for making African Amercans look small minded.

5-19-2009 @ 11:57PM

clarkbobalu said...

Please tell me that his behavior wasn't your first clue about being small minded!

5-20-2009 @ 4:18PM

adairs4 said...

It's only a recent tradition... I think Clinton was the first President to do this but it may have been George HW Bush.

I really can't blame an athlete who doesn't want to be used as some politicians photo-op. President Obama really doesn't care who won the Super Bowl (or the NCAA Tournament... or the World Series)... the Presidents that do this just want a chance at a puffy photo-op...

5-19-2009 @ 7:04PM

frank erwin said...

with out a doubt the DUMBEST STATEMENT EVER BY A JOCK. Where did he go to college? This guy makes millions---may be he should learn to think!!!!!!

5-19-2009 @ 7:36PM

Jason Harmon said...

Just say you don't want to attend. Not the first time someone has skipped something like this but shut your mouth with the excuses. The neighborhood the White House is in, The Cardinals, - just shut up and stop talking in the 3rd person. I mean really, how can he even do that with a straight face. Idiot. His family and alum must be so proud.

5-19-2009 @ 7:44PM

wildcard03 said...

I agree with Warren Sapp. Ignorance is not a crime. Only a SHAME!

5-19-2009 @ 7:50PM

horatiowrd said...

Seems to me you guys are only mentioning James Harrison cause of what he said. You want to make fun of James Harrison, make fun of James Harrison, not just of what someone said. As far as I am concern, if anyone else had said the same thing you would be making the same snide jokes.

5-19-2009 @ 8:12PM

Ted said...

At least Harrison is consistent! I respect him for that.

5-19-2009 @ 8:18PM

Uneventful said...

the president is just a man. james harrison is just a man. he did not attend the last steeler super-whitehouse bash either. leave the guy alone. his choice is his alone to make, stop judging for what you feel is right, and respect his decision as a member of the "free" USA.

5-19-2009 @ 8:20PM

jasangrey said...

i thought he was an american president, if he wants to be known as an african then go back there, but here we are american.

5-19-2009 @ 8:27PM

rgraver1 said...

I totaly agree with uneventful, dont blow things out of prportion, just a decision one man made, made the same one last time, doesnt have to explain his self for his own thoughts, and doesnt have to feel the same way about that anyone else does, just a routine visit towhite house, its all fomality anyway, maybe the guy just doent like the fake crap

5-19-2009 @ 8:28PM

boer7274 said...

He declined to go in 2009
He declined to go in 2005

For the same reason.
Two diferent presidents.

He stated his reason, He stands by it.

5-19-2009 @ 8:31PM

rthate said...

What IS the big deal here?? If Harrison doesn't want to see our President (whether he's black, white green, orange or what), why in the devil make a national crises over it??? Is it because Harrison just so happens to be known in the sports world? Would anything at all be said if an ordinary joe like you or me turned down an offer to meet the president?

5-19-2009 @ 9:28PM

jzz3skys said...

Have you heard the latest? Harrison now wants to return his Super Bowl ring using the same logic:

"Give me the ring when the Steelers DON'T win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, they would've given it to Arizona if THEY had won.

5-19-2009 @ 9:51PM

politallyincorrect said...

Its amazing how racist BLacks are. They condemn their own for not showing up to see a black president but he would have been a hero for announcing not seeing Bush if he had done that.

5-19-2009 @ 10:24PM

hjbraeseke said...

This is still the USA..... if someone, no matter who, chooses not to visit the President, it is his/her choice.... I wouldn't care to meet him either!!! But then I'm just a citizen here!