Tim Thomas, MVP in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, declined to visit Obama at the White House on Monday with the rest of the members of the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.
Thomas released a statement Monday evening:
“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties and property of the people. This is being done at the executive, legislative and judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the founding fathers vision for the federal government. Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a free citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an individual. This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic.”
Tim Thomas was one of three American players on last season’s Stanley Cup team. He is an active Republican and has the Gadsden flag — a symbol of the Tea Party — on his goalie mask. In a Bruins media guide, Thomas cited Glenn Beck as the person he would most like to have dinner with.
Bruins management supported Thomas’s decision not to attend.
“He chose not to come,” Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli told reporters at the White House. “I had some discussions with him over the last couple months. We’re like a family. We have our issues, and you deal with them and move on and try to support everyone.”
Cam Neely, the team’s president and a former star player for the Bruins, said: “Everybody has their own opinions and political beliefs. He chose not to join us. We certainly would have liked to have him come and join us, but it’s his choice. It’s obviously not a choice most of the guys — well, all of the guys came except for Tim. But it’s his decision and his choice.”
In a speech before Bruins players, coaches and executives, President Obama praised Thomas for his contributions to the championship run, saying, “He was only the second American to be recognized as the Stanley Cup playoffs M.V.P.”
