Harrison Should Go to the White House

Posted May 19, 2009 9:30PM By Calvin Watkins (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Steelers

Steelers linebacker James Harrison doesn't want to go to the White House on Thursday to meet the president.

After the Steelers won the Super Bowl in the 2005 season, Harrison didn't meet President Bush. But this time, with Harrison again saying he'd rather stay home, he's upset a few people.

Here's a main reason why Harrison should meet President Barack Obama: Obama is African-American. The historical significance of that alone should prompt Harrison to get to D.C.

Harrison, who is African-American, 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."

Tuesday we were told by Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, that his client is proud that America has an African-American president.

But he's still not going to see him.

It's Harrison's right not to attend the White House ceremony honoring the Steelers. But what makes several people of color concerned is that Harrison doesn't want to see the country's first African-American president.

We talk all the time about our athletes not making statements when it comes to political issues. Harrison wouldn't be making one here by going -- if he chose to go, it's something he would remember the rest of his life. But not attending raises questions about whether or not Harrison understands how important it is.

It's history.

Last November, after Obama was elected, several Cowboys players asked reporters who they voted for. African-American players, Chris Canty and Jay Ratliff, expressed how proud they were in seeing a person of color elected president.

It was important to them. Harrison said its important to him too, but you can't tell by him skipping the event.

There's a report out of Pittsburgh that cites Harrison's fear of flying as his reasoning for not going to Washington on Thursday. If that's the case, he should be embarrassed.

If he really cared, he could drive to D.C. Get someone to drive him. Carpool with some players. Make it a fun trip.

Harrison should stand in the Rose Garden with his teammates and savor this special moment. Harrison's agent said it's got nothing to do with President Obama's policies -- Harrison wants to stay home.

That's fine. But one day, Harrison will regret it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

5-19-2009 @ 10:31PM

dtenore said...

Really? "someday he'll regret it"? Next week nobody will give hoot. Your statement that Harrison should go "because this president is African-American" shows what a narrow-minded racist idiot YOU are. Take race out of the equation... isn't that what we're all supposed to do? How many of the caucasian Steelers went to the White House in 2005 because the president at the time was caucasian? Are any caucasian Steelers skipping this trip because the new president is NOT caucasian? Take race out of it, you fool. The world is trying to advance, and YOU are in the way.

5-20-2009 @ 1:56AM

hhoward898 said...

Amen!

5-19-2009 @ 10:56PM

mcwingnutz4 said...

dtenore,

First of all, yes Harrison will regret this one day. It's not every day that you get to meet the president, and it should be considered an honor to anyone who gets the opportunity. While I am not going to sit here and bash Harrison for his decision, as it is his right to make that decision, I will agree that he will regret this decision.

And concerning the race thing, I believe you are incorrectly interpreting what the author is saying. He is not saying Harrison should visit Obama because they are both black men. He is saying that anyone, including Harrison, should visit Obama because he is the first black president in the white house. It is a feat that can never be duplicated and we should all be proud of that fact and be honored to pay him a visit if given the opportunity. It is an opportunity to meet a historical figure, and that is hard to pass up over the petty reasoning that Harrison is giving.

5-20-2009 @ 2:09PM

mcwingnutz4,

You and I are half-way there. But we disagree on the writer's motives; read some of his other columns, and see how frequently he makes race an issue. This guy's a hack.

5-19-2009 @ 11:17PM

browndomedick69 said...

yeah man

5-19-2009 @ 11:27PM

DIET TODAY said...

Harrison should go to meet the President. Someday, he can proudly look back and have the photographs to show to his children and grandchildren.

Only a fool would miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and shake hands with the President of the United States and perhaps have a special tour of the White House.

5-19-2009 @ 11:49PM

mm3rdeye said...

What's the big deal? He did this the last time Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl. It has nothing to do with Obama.

5-19-2009 @ 11:59PM

steve said...

I wouldn't want to meet the first communist in the white House either.

5-20-2009 @ 11:13AM

bluerange308 said...

move out of the country then

5-20-2009 @ 1:50PM

councilmangaines said...

U r a stupid ass. plain and simple. at least u have that in common with harrison.

5-20-2009 @ 12:03AM

gmlet said...

Now that is All-Pro ego for you. Harrison thinks he is more important than the President of the United States of America. What arrogance!!!!!!

5-20-2009 @ 12:37AM

Tonap Builders said...

Oh I see , just like typical hipocritical liberals, CHOICE is only something your supposed to do as long as its a CHOICE THEY agree with.Shut the f-ck up , If the man says he dont want to go , then he does'nt want to go.Why is it you MORONS think your the PARAGONS of knowing what the hell everyone else should be doing.Fu-k all of you and the horse you rode in on.

5-20-2009 @ 4:55PM

bigbear599 said...

I agree 100%. FREEDOM OF CHOICE. THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE. IF HARRISON DOESN,T WANT TO GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE,THEN SO BE IT. IT'S A NON-ISSUE. MOVE ON AMERICA,MOVE ON.

5-20-2009 @ 1:23AM

etirps said...

Just what is this “African-American” rubbish? Does that mean a person is really half-African and only half-American? If so, where ARE their loyalties? Now my grandson’s heritage is English, Spanish, Welsh, Scots, Norwegian, German, Irish, French, Canadian, Northern American Indian, Meso-American Indian, and Mexican. Should he call himself Anglo-Spanish-Welsh-Scots-Norwegian-German-Irish-French-Canadian-Northern American Indian-Meso-American Indian-Mexican-American? Hell, no! He defines himself as an American. No if’s, and’s or but’s! And you know what, Watkins, what think think ain't worth a handful of spit.

5-22-2009 @ 11:20AM

regorluap said...

Bully for you!! Well stated!

5-20-2009 @ 1:54AM

mmusclemadness said...

People have said that one day he would regret it! How? Its all about choice, and he has the right. He is still going to play football and he is still going to make millions doing it!

5-20-2009 @ 2:49AM

sdh4194 said...

harrison is a sportsman. he's not interested in filthy politics. this writer is an arrogant prick.

5-20-2009 @ 4:00AM

smcstank47 said...

Who cares if Harrison visits the White House. It certainly appears that he is not in touch with reality. It does not matter if the president is blue, black, white or pokadot. It is a rare honor that most people would embrace and make the very best of. That is most people with a brain. Remember just because he is a member of the Super Bowl Championship team does not make him smart. Three years from now when his career is over, and he receives wavier paperwork, "no one will give a steelers hoot about him"