Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter has long been known as a "trash talker" on the field and off, providing sports media with a bevy of colorful quotes. His motormouth has naturally stirred up the typical war of quotes between he and opponents, which is all fine and dandy in the realm of the NFL. As the Steelers won the Super Bowl earlier this year (for those Kos fans who really couldn't care less), the team has also earned the right to visit the White House and meet Bush later this summer. Porter apparently originally was going to use the meeting as an opportunity to confront Bush.
From
Yahoo sports:
During the Steelers' minicamp last weekend, Porter was smiling and laughing when he told reporters he had "something to say to Bush" during the Super Bowl champions' June 2 visit to the White House.
"I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too," Porter said. "I'm looking forward to it but, like I said, I have something to tell him, too. I don't like the way things are running right now. I feel like he's got to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell to Bush."
And no doubt Porter does have issues with how things are going. Certainly he can pick up a newspaper and read what's going on. Unfortunately, someone in the Steelers organization (or perhaps Lynn Swann, who is running for governor as a GOP candidate in Pennsylvania) must have had a talk with Porter:
"I regret that my quotes about our team's upcoming visit to the White House were taken out of context," Porter said in a statement issued by the team. "I am very excited to have an opportunity to visit the White House and meet the president of the United States."
Porter also said his comments were not meant to suggest he disapproves of Bush or the job he is doing.
"We will be guests of the president and I would never do anything to disrespect him," Porter said in the statement. "I consider our upcoming trip an honor and a dream come true. Our entire team is looking forward to visiting the White House and enjoying what promises to be the opportunity of a lifetime."
Yes, visiting the White House is an honor. The man currently residing there is a disgrace. Porter should realize he has but one chance to confront a pathetic excuse for a leader and speak his piece. As with Colbert's performance, Bush will be forced to listen and hear how a citizen feels. And besides, with Porter being one of the most punishing players in the game, what else could Bush do except listen with a smile?