Raiders, 49ers Players Choose Practice Over Presidential Invitation
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - Two of the newest members of the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers are choosing to practice with their teams over an invitation to the White House to meet President Obama.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin - who along with his former Baltimore Ravens teammates beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII in February - will skip the traditional White House reception for the Super Bowl champs this week in order to finish the final three sessions of organized team activities in Santa Clara.
Boldin made the announcement through his Twitter feed:
Meanwhile, new Raiders punter Chris Kluwe, one of the most outspoken players in the NFL when it comes to issues like gay rights and marriage equality, is passing on an President Obama's invitation to the White House LGBT Pride Reception on June 13.
Kluwe sent a letter to the President last month declining the invitation.
"It is with deep regret that I must decline your invitation to attend the Reception at the White House for LGBT Pride Month on June 13th. I would really, really, really like to be there," Kluwe wrote.
"But unfortunately, not even the President of the United States is allowed to supersede an NFL mandatory mini-camp practice (at least insomuch as I can understand the new CBA, though I could possibly be mistaken), and as a current member of the Oakland Raiders, I owe it to both my teammates and my coaches to be fully prepared for the upcoming season."
Kluwe also shared the news with his more than 170,000 followers on Twitter.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
