Tim Thomas, What Were You Thinking?

Sports like hockey, football, baseball, basketball, soccer (fútbol for those outside the US) and others are about team, and trying to succeed as such. It’s the perfect combination of individual talent coming together to fill specific roles which leads to success and eventually championships. Among the four major team sporting leagues, the winning of a championship is punctuated by the parade down the streets of the winning city to celebrate with the fans, followed by the traditional visit to the White House to be recognized by the sitting President himself (or herself as the case should eventually become).

 

This year, the Boston Bruins were the winners of the Stanley Cup in the NHL playoffs, and were the invitees to the White House. Their goalie and MVP, Tim Thomas, decided against making the trip with the teammates he worked so hard to reach the pinnacle of the sport beside. The reasoning from his Facebook page:

 

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. TT

 

 

I have no problems with anyone taking a stand for what they believe in. I have no problem with Mr. Thomas voicing his displeasure with the current state of the government. I am not condemning him for having an opinion or being patriotic (heck, I happen to believe that this is the greatest country in the world, and would never want to live anywhere else). My problem was with the terms of his excuse.

 

If the decision to stay home “was not about politics or party…” as he claims, then why is he using the state of the government as his reason for not attending. This event has nothing to do with politics. It never has. It is a tradition of celebrating a championship season in a sport in front of the entire country. It’s not just a celebration for republicans, democrats, independents, or others. There is no correlation between these visits and endorsing a campaign or bill. This is about celebrating team, nothing more.

 

There have been players who are from countries that the United States has had issues with in the past. There have been outspoken players whose views differ from those of the sitting president at the time. There have been players who outright didn’t like government period. They all participated in this event because for that one day, it wasn’t about politics, but about the team and what it had accomplished.

 

No one should question the man for his beliefs or the where he stands on certain political issues. Every man and woman has the right to an opinion and to be able to voice those feelings. Anyone who says otherwise, or who speaks out against Mr. Thomas for voicing his opinions is themselves, unpatriotic. The issue here is Tim Thomas decided to make this about the individual, choosing a poor platform to make his own opinions known, and putting his own feelings and agenda above the team, which is what this entire event and tradition is about, plain and simple. 

 

Photo credit: © Some rights reserved by slidingsideways

About Eric J. Nisall

Former NY'er, accountant & business consultant, founder of GreenBridge Advisors. Blogging about personal financial, small business topics, and other fun topics at DollarVersity. Fan of the NHL and everything hockey! Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and on Google+

  • http://www.moneyspruce.com/ Jeffrey Trull

    As a diehard Bruins fan, I’m a little disappointed and it’s hard for me to not lose at least a little respect for Tim Thomas. He’s only one of three Americans on the team currently (and is the biggest star of those, by far), yet he couldn’t show up for this event?

    I agree on the point about it being a team thing, too. It was really a team celebration, and the event didn’t seek to make any political statement whatsoever.

    Tim has a right to believe whatever he wants, but he made the wrong choice here.

    • http://www.dollarversity.com Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity

      I was really disappointed too.  I just happen to be of the belief that there are certain times to take action or say things, and this was not one of those times. By doing this, he clearly was thinking of own agenda and he had to have known that his absence would be the main focus rather than celebrating the B’s winning season.  

      It’s a shame too because this year is shaping up to be just as good (maybe even better if the Rangers falter down the stretch–but that won’t happen) than last season.

  • http://twitter.com/MoneyMatters Money Matters

    Honestly I don’t think this is that big of a deal. It seems like just about every year one athlete or another decides not to attend the white house meet and greet because of political or other disagreements with the President.  

    Last year there were a couple of St. Louis Cardinals not attending, some speculating because of their political leanings. It has happened not only to Obama, but to President Bush and President Clinton (and others) as well. Whether or not it detracts from his teammates celebration I don’t know, but I think that Thomas and others certainly have that right not to attend if they so choose.  If he believes it is more important to take a stand for what he believes in, I think he has that right. I’m not sure I’d do the same in his situation, but I don’t begrudge him that right.

    • http://www.dollarversity.com Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity

      I heard more about this than the actual meeting, so to me it detracts from the team.  Problem is that people will have many different view, none of them being the “right one” of course, so there will invariably be some differing reactions too.  Personally, I’m more annoyed with the claim that it wasn’t about politics but just prior he says that it is about the government.

      If I remember correctly, it was only LaRussa and Pujols who were the major names that didn’t show up but it was because of the potential awkwardness rather than political views.But, like you said Peter, he has every right to stand his ground.  I just think this may not have been the right time to do so.

  • Anonymous

    I can’t say I really understood his move. I dislike the government more than most but I would visit the White House and meet Obama in a heartbeat. 

    • http://www.dollarversity.com Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity

      I don’t understand it either, and agree with you that if I was invited to go inside the White House (not on some tour) and meet the President, I absolutely would.  I read somewhere, that you don’t always need to respect the person, but you need to respect the position, which I believe to be a realistic and accurate way to view positions of power (in politics, sports, worklife or any other situation).

  • Bucksome

    Sports is one place all fans can be together regardless of our political beliefs.  Tim Thomas just ruined it for his team and fans.

    • http://www.dollarversity.com Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity

      Especially when so many players are saying that they respect his views, BUT he still should have gone with the team.  I would have gone just on the off-chance that I may have had the opportunity to say something while there, rather than sit home and post on Facebook.