Trump salutes Patriots
the Atlanta Falcons in February to his own political upset. “Pundits, boy, are they wrong a lot, aren't they? They said you couldn't do it.”
More than two dozen Patriots skipped the ceremony.
Several had said beforehand that they would not show for political reasons. Shortly before the event, Brady posted a photo of his parents on Instagram, wishing them a happy anniversary.
Casting a pall over the ceremony was the news about Hernandez, who hanged himself in a prison cell hours before the White House visit, according to Massachusetts prison officials. Hernandez, who played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2012, was serving a life sentence for a murder conviction.
A team spokesman said the Patriots were aware of the reports of Hernandez's death but the club wasn't expected to comment. Two players were brought to speak to reporters after the White House ceremony, but both said they had not known Hernandez.
Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell said he was moved by the White House ceremony, saying it “almost brought me to tears. As a child growing up, I never would have thought a president would have said my name by any means.”
One player made an impromptu appearance at a White House press before the official ceremony. Tight end Rob Gronkowski stuck his head in the door of the briefing room as press secretary Sean Spicer was holding a televised briefing.
Gronkowski jokingly asked Spicer whether he needed any help. Spicer — an avid Patriots fan — responded: “I think I got this. But thank you.”
Trump has particularly close ties to the Patriots, counting owner Bob Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick as friends. One of Trump's signature “Make America Great Again” hats was spotted in Brady's locker in 2015.