Well, half of the Patriots did, anyway. There are 64 players listed on the Patriots' active team roster, though it's unclear how many were invited.
The Patriots went to the White House Wednesday to meet with President Donald Trump, as all world championship teams do.
The Patriots last won the U.S. football championship in 2015, earning a similar show of congratulations from then-president Barack Obama. To some players, absences were notably linked to politics.
"No team has been this good for this long", Trump said during the ceremony on Wednesday. In fact, a quick scan of photos through the years suggests that the high attendance at the Obama White House in 2015 was an anomaly-which nonetheless can't be welcome news for Trump.
The team responded Wednesday evening on Twitter, arguing that the images don't tell the whole story: "These photos lack context". But as the star and centerpiece of the franchise, Brady is undeniably the figure most publicly associated with the team, and would've therefore likely been front-and-center in any coverage of the event.
"Alright, thanks man, I'll see you in a minute", the White House official adds, before telling reporters, "That was cool".
In truth, this isn't the first time Brady has passed on a White House visit.
There were a number of high-profile players who did not attend Wednesday's ceremony. Wide receiver Danny Amendola also skipped the visit, thanking Trump "for the shout out" and saying he had a funeral to attend.
One dead, three injured in accident near Kashmere Gate ISBT
"Near ISBT, they lost control and drove on a pavement where several people were sleeping", Police told an English news channel. Two teenagers, including the driver - who allegedly doesn't have a license - have been arrested.
Sources revealed that although the National Football League quarterback has spoken positively of Trump in the past, in prior months, he has been relatively silent on the new President.
At least six other Patriots also skipped the trip, citing various reasons.
Trump has personal ties to the Patriots, as various media outlets have reported.
Trump lavished praise on team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick, and saluted the Patriots for their wild, come-from-behind win over Atlanta two months ago.
It's generally a pretty jovial, celebratory affair - that is, until this year.
And yet, he wasn't at the White House.
"This Super Bowl victory was a complete team effort, and that's the beauty of what they do".
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