Super Bowl Star Rejects White House Visit: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has turned down the invitation to the White House, but not for political reasons. He thinks President Obama only invited the Steelers because they won the game. "This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl," Harrison told a local TV station. "As far as I'm concerned, he would've invited Arizona if they had won."
Why do I hate the Steelers ... let me count the ways.
posted by jjzucal at 06:09 PM on May 18, 2009
Ummmm.... James, uh, well..... You see it's all about.... See, the thing is that the honour of being the, uh... No, on second thought, you're right. You probably shouldn't go.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:12 PM on May 18, 2009
In other news, James Harrison refuses to go to his birthday party because he's only invited one day a year. "What about the other 328 days?" he asked.
When contacted for comment, former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw said, "Harrison is so stupid he couldn't spell CAT if you spotted him the K and the A."
posted by rcade at 06:25 PM on May 18, 2009
At least it's not political...he did the same thing with the previous administration.
posted by bdaddy at 06:35 PM on May 18, 2009
BTW - I love the quote "As far as I'm concerned, [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won".
I'm not sure I've ever heard the term "As far as I'm concerned" being followed by something that not a single person would argue not to be true :-)
posted by bdaddy at 06:38 PM on May 18, 2009
I've avoided openly mocking Harrison about this in other forums because I've been busy reminding folks that (as bdaddy points out here) he refused this honor when Bush offered it as well.
Since this is Sportsfilter, though, and you all actually read the article (one of the reasons I love you all, by the way), let me just say that Harrison's ability to play football was clearly developed to compensate for his inability to adhere to the rules of logical thought.
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:07 PM on May 18, 2009
It's entirely possible he's not the brightest porch light on the block. Writers complain about the Patriots over-doing the underdog bit, but this is a whole new level.
posted by yerfatma at 07:43 PM on May 18, 2009
Maybe James is on a secret mission for the good of the country. First he makes remarks distancing himself from the current administration.
Then he invites Rush Limbaugh to Pittsburgh and they head over to get stacked high at Primanti's.
Rush is only one cholesterol bomb away from rolling a seven, and James knows it.
posted by beaverboard at 09:15 PM on May 18, 2009
Thanks Guys, but I especially want to thank james. He provided just the right dose of dna mcnuggets to help yall make my day. Compared to james your all damn near Geniuses. Pretty witty too. You think james was trying to be witty or filasofical? I haven't laughed this hard since yesterday. This keeps me going.
Peace
posted by bruceamitchell at 10:39 PM on May 18, 2009
bruce, welcome to spofi. Nice first post, but filasofical?
I'm good with a player deciding not to attend the ceremony, for whatever reason suits their fancy. I'm sure that just about every one of these events has several players that skip the day.
posted by dviking at 12:12 AM on May 19, 2009
Dick
posted by govtdrone at 08:20 AM on May 19, 2009
And, following James' logic, at the same moment, the Lions showed up at McCain's office. The look on McCain's face is priceless. WTF?
posted by smithnyiu at 08:30 AM on May 19, 2009
bruce, welcome to spofi. Nice first post, but filasofical?
Does "Filasofical" come in a size 10?
posted by BornIcon at 09:20 AM on May 19, 2009
Actually, I think this is a great chance for the GOP to start a new tradition.
The party out of favor at the moment should invite the losing teams to the Capitol for a photo op.
Win, and you get to go to the White House with the Prez...lose, and it's Capitol Hill and you risk running into Pelosi. Can't beat that kind of motivation.
posted by dviking at 11:35 AM on May 19, 2009
Technically, of course, he is 100% correct and indeed if Obama wants to see the Steelers maybe he should buy a ticket like anyone else. Personally, I would take the chance for a trip to the White House, but I can see where this guy is coming from.
posted by rumple at 12:23 PM on May 19, 2009
Technically, of course, he is 100% correct and indeed if Obama wants to see the Steelers maybe he should buy a ticket like anyone else.
Hello? Why have no one even mentioned that President Obama was actually rooting for the Steelers to begin with. Of course the winning Super Bowl team gets invited to visit the White House but Obama wanted the Steelers to win before they even played the game.
Harrison is an idiot!
posted by BornIcon at 12:37 PM on May 19, 2009
I'm going to start that logic with Holiday cards I receive this year.
"If you wanted to wish us a happy new year you could have called us each month of the year to do so."
posted by jerseygirl at 12:43 PM on May 19, 2009
Didn't a Fila just win the Preakness?
posted by BoKnows at 01:31 PM on May 19, 2009
Why have no one even mentioned that President Obama was actually rooting for the Steelers to begin with.
Or how about the fact that Rooney was a major Obama supporter.
Is Harrison trying to get back at his boss?
posted by cjets at 06:19 PM on May 19, 2009
Unlikely given he blew off W in 2005 as well.
posted by yerfatma at 07:52 AM on May 20, 2009
Well dumb dumb Harrison. It is a tradition for the WINNING team to visit the White House not the losing team. Get off of your high horse and take your simple self to the White House with the rest of the "TEAM"....There's that evil "I" again...
posted by gunz4u at 08:19 AM on May 20, 2009
Worst. Logic. Ever.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:20 PM on May 20, 2009
Makes no sense.
posted by The_Special_Juan at 05:32 PM on May 20, 2009
What Weedy said.
posted by irunfromclones at 05:45 PM on May 20, 2009
Genius logic.
posted by NoMich at 05:16 PM on May 18, 2009