Chris Long Says He Wouldn't Visit Donald Trump at White House If Eagles Win

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long became the latest athlete to say he wouldn't attend the White House to visit President Donald Trump if his team won a championship. 

"No, I'm not going to the White House," he said on the Pardon My Take podcast when asked what he'll do if the Eagles defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Sunday (h/t Chris Chavez of SI.com). "Are you kidding me?"

Long did not join the Patriots at the White House after the team won the championship last season. He explained that decision in a video from Green Stripe News.

"My son grows up, and I believe the legacy of our president is going to be what it is, I don't want him to say, 'Hey dad, why'd you go [to the White House] when you knew the right thing was to not go?'" he noted.

Long has been a vocal supporter of players such as Colin Kaepernick and Malcolm Jenkins who have protested racial discrimination and police brutality by taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem and who have worked in the community:

"

One of the sound bites included why I’ve stood for the anthem with my arm around Malcolm as he protested. I’ve been getting some compliments. Many of them attempt to illustrate why I’m Captain America for playing for free and standing for the anthem, while Colin is the opposite.

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) December 23, 2017"

"

ZERO interest in being used as the anti-Colin. I support Colin’s right to protest, and what he’s protesting. He deserves a job in the NFL. He’s donated as much $ as I have to social causes.

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) December 23, 2017"

"

Additionally, for the crowd that swears the knee is the litmus test for social consciousness or real action in America, we’re also intellectually at odds.

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) December 23, 2017"

Long also donated all of his 2017 game checks to charity.

He's hardly the only athlete to speak out against Trump or to publicly say he wouldn't visit the White House. Trump and the Golden State Warriors exchanged a public war of words after Stephen Curry said he didn't want to visit the White House. The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James stood up for Curry in that exchange.

More recently, U.S. Olympians such as Gus Kenworthy, Lindsey Vonn, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon all said they wouldn't accept invitations to the White House if offered them after the 2018 Games.