On Wednesday, April 10, 2018, the University of Alabama’s football team and coaches made the trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a ceremonial visit to the White House. A tradition that has been in place since 1865, the President in office extends an invitation to the championship team or player from major sporting events that year.

It is a gesture of congratulations and also supports from the leader of our country to invite these men and women into the most prestigious house in the country. However, a few teams and players in the past have refused this offer, and in light of the recent hostility towards our political office, it has become bigger news for teams to actually attend this ceremony rather than not.

So, what does it mean for the University of Alabama choosing to attend their trip to the White House?

Nothing.

Yes, you read that right. The choice to attend has become less of a statement than choosing not to, and Coach Saban and his team demonstrated respect and appreciation for the invitation.

Teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have chosen to forego this visit in the recent past, and by making that decision they have revealed that political views have combined with their athletic career careers. Although a personal decision among players, choosing to allow political and social beliefs interfere with sports and events is a new phenomenon that many athletes have started taking a part in.

Sports have become more political than ever, and whether or not they should be is a discussion for another time. However, politics have created a stigma around sports teams, conditioning people to believe that everything they do or participate in is to make a statement. Of course, kneeling during the pledge and refusing to attend the White House ceremony is a direct political statement, but these acts should not lead to the assumption that all teams and players are looking to project their political views.

In my opinion, the choice by Coach Saban to have his players attend the Washington, D.C. trip eliminated politics from the discussion and inserted an opportunity for these young players to have a once in a lifetime chance to go inside the White House. Talented players such as Tua Tagovailoa, the National Championship outstanding freshman, and other players expressed their excitement about the trip with

tweets, Instagram posts, and Instagram stories. There was no talk of political views, and regardless of individual beliefs, this team celebrated their win together as a team. Overall, Saban leads his team with class and taught them a lesson of respect for those who lead.