Posted on 07/31/2006 1:13:03 PM PDT by catholicfreeper
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- When the White House called with an invitation to dine with President Bush, Dan Marino took it. But the coach of his former team said no. Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Monday that his obligations at training camp took priority over a chance to meet the president. "It was really a tough decision," Saban said. "I feel like my first responsibility is our team. That in no way disrespects the importance of the opportunity I would have loved to have had to spend dinner with the President." The invitation was for dinner with Bush on Sunday night at Joe's Stone Crabs, a landmark Miami Beach restaurant. Marino, a former Dolphins quarterback and an NFL Hall of Famer, did attend, Bush said in a speech Monday. Several Dolphins players said they weren't surprised that Saban put his team ahead of the president. "We all know Nick is serious about what we're doing here and is committed to it," defensive end Jason Taylor said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
I would have done the same thing, and I'm a Bush-bot.
Don't ya gotta win the big one to dine wit da Prez?
Saban already has. He won the College Football National Championship lol. OF course USC still disputes that a tad but we have the trophey. I suspect that Bush wanted to talk about the glory Texas beating USC with Saban
How tacky.
One never declines an invitation from the White House.
I wonder what his answer would have been had it been an invitation to dine with servicemen that had just returned from Iraq. I love football too but, with all due respect to Mr. Saban, there actually are some things more important.
God forbid something happens to one of his family members. But then, I'm sure they'd understand.
Yeah he will take some heet for it. But again, he is extremely focused. I can see him doing this.
He should take heat. He demonstrated a lack of class and social grace, and those aren't excusable even if you do coach a winning team.
To heck with the dinner invite -- wow, I am dreaming about getting into a real pile-up with THAT line-up. (/drool off) :-)
when the denver broncos were invited to the white house under clinton, Elway declined saying he needed an mri on his knee and was latter seen to be golfing.
I think saban did something similar here. can't prove it, but it sounds suspicious.
Well, these things are best handled in private conversations/exchanges, not in the media.
Sounds like Saban's got his head screwed on right. I hope he's not related to that Power Rangers guy....
Nick Saban couldn't spare a couple hours on a Saturday night in Miami Beach to dine with the President?
Truly stupid!
Not for the kind of money he is being paid by his employer...
LOL, well there are more here bigger and better
http://www.bands.lsu.edu/golden_girls/index.php
and especially here
http://members.tripod.com/~lsugoldengirls/
Salary has nothing to do with it.
The rule is that one NEVER declines an invitation from the White House.
Ask Miss Manners and all the Post and Vanderbilt women. Even Letitia Baldrige will back me on this one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.