Dont’a Hightower Joins Growing Patriots Boycott of White House Visit

Photo by Jonathan Satriale/WEBN-TV on Flickr/Creative Commons

Dont’a Hightower, whose fourth-quarter strip sack swung the momentum in the Patriots favor on their way to victory in Super Bowl LI, will join the growing boycott of the team’s upcoming visit to President Donald Trump’s White House.

The Pro Bowl linebacker and team defensive captain joins tight-end Martellus Bennett and safety Devin McCourty, also skipping the trip to Washington. When asked by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Hightower said, “Been there, done that.”

"Been there, done that," Dont'a Hightower said, also noting he didn't go to White House in 2014 w/ Pats. Had previously been with Alabama.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 8, 2017

James White, who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime to seal the Patriots’ historic comeback, said he may boycott as well, but has yet to make up his mind.

“I’ll wait ’til the time comes and decide then,” White said.

Bennett said he isn’t worried that his absence might offend team owner Bob Kraft or head coach Bill Belichick, who are both close friends of Trump, along with quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady.

“Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House,” McCourty, another captain, told Time magazine earlier this week. “With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices, I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.”