The reason the UGA Bulldogs are holding their noses at a White House invite is not hard to fathom: The repeating kings of college football no doubt feel offended by being tossed into a celebratory ceremony with a gaggle of “lesser” sports.
Much has been made of the Dawgs declining an invitation by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to visit the White House June 12. There’s speculation that it’s political — and, true, partisan politics have seeped into this mess. Some Dems believe the team is snubbing the president because they are, at heart, red-staters. And certain GOPers are celebrating that the team is doing this to own the libs.
But I believe the two-time champs of the NCAA’s premier sport think the invite reduces them to bit players in a throng of athletes from other college sports.
Instead of having the spotlight to themselves, as champs usually do at the White House, they’d be attending something called “College Athlete Day” and sharing it with dozens of teams. Softball players, wrestlers, swimmers. I mean, c’mon, this is Football, something red-blooded Americans actually watch on prime-time TV.
Sports Illustrated points out that the NCAA holds 90 championships in 24 sports across its three divisions. There could be a couple thousand athletes milling about the White House lawn on June 12, many of whom have never pounded someone into the turf while wearing shoulder pads.