White House Invitation to Losing NCAA Team Sparks More Drama
posted by Trever Lloyd | April 10, 2023 | In News, SportsSince the mid-1960s teams winning it all in the form of a college national championship, Super Bowl, or NBA title has come with the tradition of a trip to the White House. Louisiana State University punched their ticket to Washington, D.C. on April 2 with their win over University of Iowa.
However, the first lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden sparked serious controversy with the idea to invite both Iowa and LSU to the White House.
During a press conference on April 3, Biden went to the podium and said: “You know we’ll have the champions come to the White House; we always do. So, we hope LSU will come — but, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game. So winners and losers that’s sportsmanship. That’s good sportsmanship.”
This caused multiple members of the sports world, such as current and former athletes, sports media members and sports fans alike, to condemn Biden, with many saying that participation awards have no business in college or pro sports. Losers of championship games have never been invited, so why start now? LSU deserves to be on that stage enjoying their victory by themselves and not forced to share their moment with a team they beat fair and square.
Others had a problem with the racial optics that came into place. Critiquing the first lady for inviting a team that is predominantly white after it was beaten by predominantly Black team. One of the most outspoken people has been LSU’s very own forward Angel Reese, who has been the center of attention since an encounter with Iowa’s Caitlin Clark at the end of the championship game. Reese made her feelings very well known on the first lady comments. Reese first took to Twitter to voice her displeasure tweeting that it was “A JOKE” when the comments first went viral.
Reese than told the I Am Athlete podcast: “I just know if the roles were reversed, they wouldn’t be the same. If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House.”
Reese has also said that the team does not want to go to the White House after the comments and that LSU would rather go to visit former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. Although after university officials said the team is accepting the invitation, Reese confirmed that she would be in attendance.
A spokesperson for the first lady said Biden meant no disrespect with the suggestion and her comments were meant to congratulate the achievements of all female athletes. And it was reported that President Biden called Reese to apologize.
Even LSU opponent Iowa star Clark voiced her opinion on the subject when she had an interview on Sports Center: “I don’t think runner-ups usually go to the White House. LSU should enjoy that moment for them. And congratulations, obviously, they deserve to go there. Maybe I could go to the White House [someday] on different terms.”
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