The Steelers James Harrison Gives the F' You to President Obama

It's been a long standing tradition in American sports history that when a team (seemingly any team) wins a championship they get to go to the White House and meet the president. Sometimes the mixing of athletes and political figures can create an awkward moment. However, for the most part the whole thing is just a good photo opportunity for all involved.

As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to make their visit to the White House and celebrate their Super Bowl victory, there is one player who will not make the trip, actually he is flat out refusing the invitation.

James Harrison was one of the most feared men in the NFL last season. He had nothing short of a phenomenal season. He capped off the 2008 campaign by making one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history as he rumbled nearly 100 yards for a touchdown. There is no doubt that the Steelers do not make the Super Bowl, if Harrison is not on the team last season.

Now it appears that Harrison is ready to make his impact off the field, by turning down the invitation to travel with the Steelers to Washington D.C. to meet President Obama. According to a report from Pittsburgh News affiliate Chanel 4 Action News, James Harrison is refusing to make the trip to Washington D.C. Harrison had the following to say about the whole situation. "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 [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," While that is true, it definitely comes across as arrogant that Harrison feels that it should be Obama who is honored to meet him and not the other way around. I suppose that James Harrison's offseason is just too busy to take a day out to visit the president. I mean really, how busy can Obama be that he doesn't take time out to visit the star linebacker on his own time?

While I understand where Harrison is coming from, you got to sit back and think seriously who does this guy think he is? I'd actually prefer it if Harrison had refused the White House visit because he was making a political statement.

With behavior of this nature, it is not surprising that half the NFL seemingly gets arrested on a regular basis.

It should be noted that Harrison also refused to go to the White House in 2006 to meet President Bush. I guess he was too busy on that day as well.

Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

200 days ago

Score 3

As strange as it may seem to many of us and as bizarre as the explanation for the decline of the invitation to visit the President of the United States, James Harrison has every right to do so. This country fought a revolution to charter its own historical course which produced a constitution and bill of rights. In the USA, we do not pay homage to a monarch upon demand nor kowtow to a dictator. James Harrison's reasoning admittedly seems vague and rather stupid. And as stated in the article, he also turned down the invitation to meet now Past President Bush. So, it seems a little disingenuous to make any insinuation that this is a personal slight or political stance against President Obama. If anything, Harrison is thumbing his nose at the Office of the President rather than the holding individual. It is unfortunate that Harrison provides no logical reason behind these consistent decisions of refusing to meet a President. Perhaps he feels being summoned at someone else's "beck and call" is demeaning. Maybe he feels being served up as a prop for the benefit of another's press coverage. Or even more likely, he just likes the notoriety and media attention of being a talented football player "dissing" a perceived higher authority figure that somehow scores macho points on the grid iron. Only James Harrison really knows for sure. And unfortunately for the rest of us, we can only speculate.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

200 days ago

Score 2

I bet more Presidents wish they could score the difference-making touchdown in the Super Bowl than there are Super Bowl winning players who wish they could be President. Harrison is on to something good here... He's got a unique but very valid point! Maybe it's his agent seeping into his head but Harrison is handling this right: HOLD OUT FOR MORE!

If Obama invited me to the Oval office there would have to be some conditions. I want naked pictures of his wife (I don't need to see the real thing and disrespect the man's wife; I'm into the novelty of seeing pictures of naked famous chicks just to verify they are really chicks when I have some doubt), I want to see the pictures Joe Biden has of him (so I understand how he got where he is), and a couple ounces of his finest hydro and perhaps some of his blow... (to share, of course) He's President - I know he's well supplied and I'm not really asking for much if he's got a real reason to invite me.

I'm likely to never be a Steelers fan. But damn I really respect James Harrison right now... that crazy, selfish, individualistic bastard!!! U.S.A.!!! U.S.A.!!! U.S.A.!!!

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BryantWrestlingAll-American

200 days ago

Score 2

I actually like Harrison's take on this. "You really don't care about us, you're just inviting us because it's what you do."

I don't think it has much to do with Obama, in fact, I don't think it has anything to do with Obama. If it was Dubya or McCain or Ronald McDonald (Although kids would probably like to meet the clown ... Ronald, not Dubya), Harrison would have turned it down too.

I like when teams, as in non-pro sports, are brought in. I think the kid from the college fencing team will get more out of meeting the president than a guy making 10x what the President makes (Before special interest payoffs!)

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

199 days ago

Score 2

It seems straightforward to me when he says, "As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won.." The president's motive have nothing to do with meeting the Steelers. They have everything to do with meeting the Super Bowl Champions for some pictures. Harrison doesn't want to be used for a promotional photo opportunity.

Good for him.

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CheezerAll-Star

199 days ago

Score 2

That was me. I must have timed out.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 4

There's a lot of defense of Harrison here, more than I expected. It's clearly not a political statement: Harrison stated his reason, and after hearing it, I don't think he is interested enough to formulate a political statement anyway. Some here are praising him for being an individual, but other words to describe his stance are "self-absorbed", "ego-driven" and "narcissistic".

Presidential photo opportunity? Sure, but Harrison forgets that it is also a photo-op for him, and more importantly, his team.
As for his bizarre statement about the Cards: yes, if the Cards had won the game, they would get the invite. There's no line forming to shake hands with the Super Bowl losers. You aren't being invited because you are the Steelers, you are being invited because you won the game. See? Ego.
The invite is intended to be an honor, which does not necessarily mean you have to "kowtow" to the pres. Harrison's stance is akin to being awarded a Nobel but not showing up to be the committee's puppet.

Is it his right? Of course. But that doesn't mean it isn't stupid. Harrison is a tool. But since he also skipped the White House visit a few years ago, I'll give him credit for this: at least he is a consistent tool.

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CheezerAll-Star

199 days ago

Score 2

But the visit doesn't honor him or the Steelers. It honors the Super Bowl Champion. I think that is Harrison's point. I can't presume to know what he's thinking, but it sounds like he'd be willing to go if the Steelers were losers, but not because they're winners.

Remember that this is an opportunity for Obama to prove to John Q Public, Beer Drinker and Football Fan, that he's one of them. He's just like they are and a fan of football. It's political. That's how it got started, with Nixon (or was it LBJ?) and that's how it still is.

I believe Harrison does have a bit of a chip on his shoulder about being "used" for a photo op, but he has every right to say thanks but no thanks.

Personally, I'd go out of respect for the office. But I'm not going to fault the guy for not going.

Oh, and Tay, this is nowhere near narcissistic. That's just a little bit of hyperbole on your behalf. I don't even think it's self centered or egotistical. I don't know how I'd describe it though.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 4

Of course it honors him and the Steelers--because they are Super Bowl champions. That was their accomplishment, so that is what they are being honored for. Why are you trying to draw a line between the two?

It may be an opportunity for the president, but it is also an opportunity for the SB winner. That was my point--that it is reciprocal. In fact, I think it is a bit difficult to say that this is the president saying he is an average guy when every champion, college and pro, is invited to the White House. How many style points is the president earning when the NCAA champion water polo team makes their appearance?
Also regarding Obama being the average fan--I'm pretty sure that if I invited the Steelers to my house, none of them would show up. So how does that make Obama like me? In fact, assuming the Steelers don't repeat, I think next year I'm going to invite Harrison to my house. Odds, anyone?
This is absolutely narcissism. Harrison is saying that the president should want to meet him, win or lose. In saying this, he is putting himself before his team and the ring. You don't see this as purely ego driven?

As for rights: I said it before, I'll say it again. No one is saying he doesn't have the right. That doesn't mean it isn't stupid.

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SSreportersLegend

199 days ago

Score 4

"I'm pretty sure that if I invited the Steelers to my house, none of them would show up."

Yeah, because you're a Cowboys fan. ;-)

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 3

Among other reasons, i.e. I'm nobody.

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CheezerAll-Star

199 days ago

Score 4

Tay- I'm not drawing the line, Harrison is. He said "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 [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won"

He's separating the two. Not me. He's saying that Obama has political motivation for the meeting. If there were no political motivation, Obama would meet with his favorite team, right?

I read a rather brilliant editorial about politicians sand the tools they use to seem like every day people. Things like shooting basketballs and going bowling. Things like filling out an NCAA bracket. Opportunities to appear to be a "regular person". Inviting the Super Bowl winner to the White House for a meeting falls into this category. It utilizes the prestige of the office to arrange a meeting with a sports team.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 4

Clearly Harrison is drawing that line. But by agreeing with his position, you also make the distinction, and I have the pleasure of discussing this with you, not him (to my benefit, I'm sure).

Obama and past presidents do meet with their favorite teams. And they meet with various champs. Argue that presidents are frontrunners if you want, but this is not a political act.
I would enjoy reading the editorial if you would provide the link. I'm sure the occasional politician does something like this for political gain, but I think most of the time they are genuine sports fans. I'm sure Obama drew up brackets before this year, so of course he will do it this year as well. And I'm willing to be wrong on this, but I bet ESPN came to him to publicize his bracket, not the other way around.
I'll tweak your question a bit and give it back: If there were political motivation, wouldn't the president meet with all the teams? After all, by meeting with the Steelers alone, he is marginalizing 31 other fan bases.

But I have allowed myself to be drawn off topic. Obama (or any other president) isn't the one making statements--Harrison is, and I maintain that he is a narcissistic tool. And quite honestly, this me-first attitude doesn't seem to be the type that flies in the Pittsburgh organization. I would be surprised if he sees the end of his six year deal in a Steelers uniform.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

199 days ago

Score 5

Interestingly, if there is narcissism anywhere, wouldn't it be on the part of the president (whoever that may be)? Look at me - I'm the president and I get to meet with the champs. And you don't.

As with so many things, this is a non-story. Who cares whether or not Harrison goes?

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 4

A fair point, SJ, but I disagree based on this: a president has a lot more important people at his beck and call than the winners of a silly game if he needs his ego stroked.
Just to clarify my point: Harrison isn't narcissistic because he refuses to go. If he was making a political statement, more power to him. It's his reason that makes him an egomaniac.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

199 days ago

Score 3

A fair point to you TayTay (what a civil debate!), but in terms of 'important people' - if we agree that a president is looking for that commonality with the people, then football players would be more important than most other 'truly' important people.

Honestly, if Obama meets with Sarkozy, this would get less press time. Unless Ms. Bruni is also there. :-) But again, there would be more cameras there for her than for him. The 'average person' cares more about entertainers than about real world issues. IMO.

I wonder: would it have been a bigger story if there had been no invitation extended? Would people have noticed?

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CheezerAll-Star

199 days ago

Score 1

I certainly wouldn't have.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 2

I couldn't agree more with your statement that "the 'average person' cares more about entertainers than about real world issues". If this weren't true, Perez Hilton wouldn't exist. So it comes down to motivation. Does the president send the invite for the pleasure of meeting the team, to have "important" people ask "how high" when he says jump, or to win points with the voters? I still think that in most cases this is done because they are sports fans. Really, at this point, it is purely tradition, since everyone, including the hypothetical water polo team I mentioned earlier, gets invited.
Which is why I think the answer to your question is: yes, it would have been a bigger story if the invite had not been extended. And I suspect that James Harrison would have been at the front of the line demanding to know why they weren't shown the same courtesy as everyone else.

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CheezerAll-Star

199 days ago

Score 2

Why so down on Harrison? The guy has had two invitations to the White House and turned them both down. Now, your saying that if he wasn't invited, he'd be the first person demanding to know why they weren't invited.

I agree that the invitations are a matter of course at this point.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

199 days ago

Score 2

"if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl."

That really doesn't sound self centered to me. Sounds very team first and a little rediculous, but not selfish.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 3

Again, Cheezer, it's his reasoning. He wants special treatment? Then I think he would also be put off by not being offered at least as much as everyone else. I think he wants to be invited, and he wants to turn it down. It's all on his terms.

Besides, he has gotten a lot more attention by not going than he would have by showing up with the team. If he doesn't want to go, why can't he do it quietly? Players often don't make the trip. Most don't make a big deal out their decision.

Good point, ST, and if they had made this decision as a team, good for them. But Harrison climbed out on this branch on his own.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

199 days ago

Score 2

How can you say he is looking for attention when he got little to none for skipping 3 years ago. One would assume that the same treatment would apply this time, no? Who brought this to light this time? Was it Harrison? Or was he just asked why he wasn't going this time around. Looking at this without any background knowledge I would assume that since the only thing that changed is the president that maybe it was his people that mentioned this to the press.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

199 days ago

Score 3

Maybe it was brought to light because of Obama? 3 years ago, people in the media literally didn't think twice about Harrison not going. Now, there's a popular Democrat in there and suddenly it's a story.

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 2

From what I saw, this came out when local Pittsburgh media asked Harrison about it. What happened to "no comment"?
Is it media-driven? Sure. I'm not saying Harrison is the one making this a story, but he does get some free pub from it. Maybe three years ago it wasn't a slow news day when this came out. Or maybe it gets more attention just because Obama is president, not Bush. But I think it is quite a reach to suggest that this is driven by the White House. I'm sure Obama could care less if Harrison shows up or not.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

199 days ago

Score 1

I don't think it is any more of a stretch than saying he is a narcissist when his track record speaks otherwise. He is not at all known as a "media whore" and has flown under the radar most of his career.

I would also like to point out that this is a guy who was "made an example of" by the law when he was 17 years old and lost his scholarship as a result. It can be argued that the lost scholarship has cost him millions of dollars. I'd give him a pass on doubting the intentions of "the man".

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 1

I've already given plenty of evidence regarding his track record and his nonsensical reasoning. I suppose we agree to disagree.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

199 days ago

Score 1

Sounds good Tay...heck, we may be arguing about this for no reason at all

http://monde...evealed.html

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Taytay 24All-American

199 days ago

Score 1

Very interesting if that is true, and I wish he had said so (or the previously mentioned 'no coment') in the beginning instead of the head scratcher.
Next on the list: What is it about football that attracts those with a fear of flying? Madden, Kornheiser, now possible Harrison? Who else? And is the NFL percentage any higher than the national average? Someone get on the case!

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

199 days ago

Score 5

You win the Super Bowl, you get to meet the President. You become President, you get to meet the Super Bowl Champs. Perks of accomplishment. If Harrisson doesn't want to go, fine. But his reasoning sounds stupid. It's like saying to the NFL: "You wouldn't have given us the 32nd overall pick if we hadn't won the Super Bowl."

And it's his right to refuse to go. But it's my right to call him an idiot for his "logic."

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HeywoodJablomeWaterboy

199 days ago

Score 1

I believe Harrison is, in some way, wrong here. The meeting with a president, no matter who, could be considered a gift tot he victor of the Super Bowl or World Series or an Olympic Medalist, and so on. It is no different then any other accolade that comes with winning a particular sporting event, championship and so on.

Did James Harrison turn down the Lombardi trophy because it only goes to the winner of the Super Bowl and Roger Goodell would have given it to the Cardinals if they had won the game?

The President is simply bestowing another accolade upon the victor. It is Harrison's right to turn it down, but his rationale is, quite frankly, stupid.

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The BeastAAA-er

199 days ago

Score 1

Of course Harrison has the right to decline the invitation, but it really makes no sense. First off, meeting Obama would be tight. Even as a conservative (gulp), I'd love to have the privilege of meeting the commander in chief. Why would you pass the opportunity up? Second, it's a horrible PR move. It doesn't paint Harrison in a positive light and only makes him out to be some selfish jerk. It's always harder for the perceived jerks to sell jerseys, trading cards, etc. So why make a stink here. Just show up!

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The BeastAAA-er

199 days ago

Score 1

On a side note, I just had the thought and as a warning I don't mean to start up some racial debate. But...if Harrison was a white conservative male from Mississippi or somewhere south, would there be cries of racism. Or what if a guy like Curt Schilling, a noted Republican, refused to meet Obama. Would there be a greater outcry?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

199 days ago

Score 1

Do the people that outcry these types of things really matter anyway? This is SUPPOSED to be America. Harrison can say he'd rather poop in the White House birdfeeder if he wants to... Political outcry rank just above the dudes that wander places like Times Square warning us about the "End is Near" and babbling about what God told them while they were huffing a gas rag...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

199 days ago

Score 2

It "used" to be that a President would call you in the lockerroom right after the game to congratulate you (Super Bowl, World Series, what have you)... It's now MAY.

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Pittsburgh GunnyMajor Leaguer

198 days ago

Score 4

Just a little side bar here, I was once fortunate enough to get a tour of the West Wing of the White House. It was last summer and President Bush was in Texas. The tour eventually made it's way to the Oval Office which had one of them nice velvet ropes across the entry way. We were only permitted to look into the Oval Office. As I looked in I asked, "Is that the room over there where Bill and Monica hung out?" Mrs. Gunny immediately smacked the back of my head.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

198 days ago

Score 0

I would have said "JFK and Marilyn" personally... Monica Lewinsky makes me feel sad to be an American. Our "leader"... For shame. Could have weilded his power and bagged his pick of top quality babes and instead he liked to go hogging.

Then again, look at the other chicks "Bubba" bagged... Shuddersome.

JFK knew what being President was worth.

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