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SteemSports Presenter: Scott Frank, @scottybuckets

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SteemSports Editor: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM Witness & PeerPlays Witness.

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On Monday night, one of the greatest teams in NBA history beat one of the greatest players in NBA history to win the championship. Congrats to the Golden State Warriors. As I drove to work the next morning, I had on Fox Sports Radio and the host was talking about how the Warrior Team unanimously voted, only hours after the champagne popped, to reject an invitation to the White House by President Trump. I then flipped my XM dial to CNN, the most trusted name in news, according to their own commercials that are voiced by Darth Vader. CNN was running wild with the same story, only citing an “anonymous source” which seems to be the trend these days.

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Before I get on with how the rest of the story played out, let's first look at the history of sports teams visiting the White House after they win the championship. President Andrew Johnson welcomed the Washington Nationals baseball team all the way back in 1865. The tradition of players and coaches taking photo ops at the White House with the POTUS has been going on since and as recently as a few years ago, 12 teams both professional and college came to celebrate their victories with President Obama.

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Everything seemed to change in 2012 when Boston Bruins goaltender, Tim Thomas, declined the trip while posting on social media, “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People...This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.” Sure, MJ missed a visit for golf, Tom Brady, an open Trump supporter missed this years for his parents anniversary party, but Tim Thomas was the first to really bring personal views into this.

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So back to the 2017 Golden State Warriors. As my day went on and I tuned in and out of the radio, I was NOT surprised to hear that the entire story about them shunning the POTUS and White House, was…..wait for it….wait for it…...FAKE NEWS from several news outlets including CNBC, MSNBC, and serial offender, the most trusted name in news, CNN! What does all this mean? Should teams still be invited to the White House? Should that tradition end? Should professional athletes stick to sports and just shut the hell up? Or should players like Colin Kapernick spew ignorant and empty words that may alienate fans? The NFL ratings tanked this year, by the way. Coincidence? Please take part in our poll and tell us what they should do!

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