Posted on 06/06/2013 4:26:44 PM PDT by NYer
Details from Sports Illustrated:
Retired Ravens center Matt Birk spoke out Thursday morning on Minnesota’s KFAN about his reason for declining an invitation from President Barack Obama to be at the White House during the team’s visit a day earlier.
Birk, a six-time Pro Bowler who was on the Ravens’ 2013 Super Bowl team, said he has “great respect for the office of the Presidency” but decided against going with the team on Wednesday as part of an annual NFL tradition for Super Bowl winners. Birk said he based his decision on a comment the president recently made in which he applauded Planned Parenthood, a leading health care provider of reproductive and sexual health:
“I wasn’t there. I would say this, I would say that I have great respect for the office of the Presidency but about five or six weeks ago, our president made a comment in a speech and he said, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood’…Planned Parenthood performs about 330,000 abortions a year. I am Catholic, I am active in the Pro-Life movement and I just felt like I couldn’t deal with that. I couldn’t endorse that in any way…I’m very confused by [the President's] statement. For God to bless a place where they’re ending 330,000 lives a year? I just chose not to attend.”
LOL! OOPS! Thanks!
BRAVO MATT!
We have to get him to run against Al Franken for senate.
Thanks, Matt. You have the support of millions of Americans.
Cardinal Dolan would not approve.
Perhaps we can get him to come out of retirement, at least to do ESPN/Fox Sports/CBS Sports, etc. cameos and interviews!
I am sick of the diamond studded egotistical felons they usually inflict on the sports fans.
God bless Matt Birk!
The last sportsman I remember turning the WH championship invitation was the hockey goalie Tim Thomas, and I think he’s a great American also.
You’re right - Hogan Mayflower is an Indianapolis company. They would’ve used someone else when they snuck out of Cleveland...;)
Anyway, the dislike is more a response to the Charm City’s hatred of us than any outright hostility on our part. This year’s wild card round didn’t help, either...though I am relieved to see they’ve gotten measurably less stabby in the offseason.
Um he’s white. That means he’s racist.
Matt Birk is one of the good guys.
I am neither Catholic Nor a Football Fan, but this man is a REAL Hero!
It is very possible that he may be targeted for this, yet he stands by his Faith!
Good man.
Kudos to Matt Birk!!!!
Jarrett: "Audit."
**our president made a comment in a speech and he said, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood’…Planned Parenthood performs about 330,000 abortions a year. I am Catholic, I am active in the Pro-Life movement and I just felt like I couldn’t deal with that. I couldn’t endorse that in any way…I’m very confused by [the President’s] statement. For God to bless a place where they’re ending 330,000 lives a year? I just chose not to attend.”**
God bless Matt Birk!
Why do you say that?
It makes me happy that there are still honorable men in this country!
Lizard.
Not a Cardinals fan either? :-)
When B.O. said, "God bless you" to those PP baby-killers, I believe it was one of the most despicable, loathsome things he has ever said.
Amen!
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