Is the national champion Georgia football team going to the White House? We have an answer
The White House will be hosting two teams that just won college national championships this month, but it won’t be Georgia football.
The Bulldogs team that won the national championship in January isn’t going to Washington after all even though an invitation was extended.
So the reigning college football national champions once again will miss out on a trip to the White House. Just like the 2021 Bulldogs team that ended a 41-year title drought.
The UConn men’s basketball team that won the NCAA championship on April 3 is going to the White House to be honored on May 26, it was announced Monday. LSU women's basketball which won the national title also last month will be there the same day.
President Joe Biden also hosted the Golden State Warriors in January for their 2022 NBA championship and the Atlanta Braves in September for their 2021 World Series championship.
So what’s keeping Georgia from going?
Timing more than anything.
“The University of Georgia first received on May 3 an invitation for the Bulldog football team to visit the White House on June 12," Georgia athletics said in a statement to the Athens Banner-Herald Tuesday evening. "Unfortunately, the date suggested is not feasible given the student-athlete calendar and time of year. However, we are appreciative of the invitation and look forward to other opportunities for Georgia teams moving forward.”
A White House official told the Athens Banner-Herald Feb. 22 that “The President looks forward to welcoming the Georgia Bulldogs to the White House," but on the eve of spring practices three weeks later, a team spokesman said an invitation had not come.
Georgia wrapped up spring practices April 15, but 10 of the most high-profile departing players on the team went in the NFL draft two weeks later.
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Much of the current team will be away from Athens after final exams end this week before returning for summer workouts in June.
Recent national football champions Clemson went in January 2019 and LSU in January 2020. Alabama went in April 2018.
UConn is making the trip to Washington, DC all in the same day, flying to the nation's capital in the morning and returning home after the ceremony.
Georgia’s congressional delegation and its two Democratic Senators signed a letter to Biden on Jan. 18 requesting a White House ceremony for the Georgia football “at your earliest convenience.” The letter said Georgia didn’t go after winning the 2021 national title due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) said in February after the White House said it was inviting the Bulldogs: “This is well deserved and hard fought!! For the second year in a row, Georgia confirmed that it is the best football team in the nation and I’m glad its being honored in America’s house.”
Maybe next year.
Georgia is widely projected as the No. 1 team for 2023 so the Bulldogs could get their chance finally to go to Washington in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Why the Georgia football team isn't going to the White House after all
