You see Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Dan Hampton a lot in the Southland.
At the grand opening of last year, signing autographs at , golfing at this summer in support of student scholarships at St. Xavier University.
Next month, you might catch him in drawing the winning raffle ticket for a 63-inch 3D TV in a benefit for the Good Shepherd Center.
Maybe you'll see him at one of his daughter's volleyball games at Sandburg High School.
But you didn't see him Friday at the White House.
Hampton, a key player on the 1985 Bears Super Bowl team, declined President Obama's invitation to honor his hometown team. The president may be a fan of the '85 Bears, but Danimal is no fan of the prez.
"It's my own personal choice," Hampton recently told The Score. "I don't choose to go. No family, no kids. Honey's going to the White House, and you tell your kids and your wife, 'Oh, I'm sorry. You're not invited.'
"Secondly, I'm not a fan of the guy in the White House. And third, it was 25 years ago. Let it go."
In 1986, the Bears' trip to the White House, then occupied by Ronald Reagan, was cancelled because the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded.
"Family can't go, I don't want to go," Hampton told ESPNChicago.com in a text.
What do you think? Should Hampton have joined his teammates at the people's house? Did he pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Or do you agree with his stand? Tell us in the comments.
I tried to spell it as all of the pig farmers (apparently, you're included) in Arkansas pronounce it: Arkansaw.
Inviting the '85 Bears to the White House had nothing to do with votes. We are not heading towards socialism....just see what the Repukes did on the debt limit increase bill where the Repukes wanted the US to default to make a point. They won....what did they win? A lowering of the USA credit rating and an increase in the cost of the debt we need to repay, costing Americans billions of dollars on trillions of dollars in debt. Are you Repukes not happy that our government has to pay more in interest expense? Coming out of your pockets, folks.
What the Repukes did to this country with the "Increase the debt limit" vote, was unconscionable. I hope that the people remember that in November, 2012. No one wants to run on the Repuke ticket except the same old, same old.
I don't dodge anything, that is why I stand up to mopes like you. While I read about him in college, not my style. Hope all Repukes get voted out of office in 2012. They've hurt this economy enough.
Not that you care because I only expect you to make a snide remark tough guy, but my comments are proven historically. Look at cook county and ilinois. Raised taxes and revenue actually went down. Why, because of how it impacts business that are barely surviving or move to another county or state. Or shut down. Depleted revenue and excessive spending and failed bailouts. 2012 will be the biggest election in history.
When a former professional football player or athlete, is asked to visit the white house and meet the president of the United States, why would they pass up an opportunity such as this? To experience something only a chosen few are allowed to experience. Something to tell your grandchildren about. Dan Hampton, like Hank Williams Jr, believes Obama is the Enemy", someone not worthy of the great Mr. Hampton's presence. If Dan Hampton cannot differentiate politics from sport, like Hank Williams Jr, he truly has much to learn about adulthood! Is Mr. Hampton such a fool that he does not recognize the fact that from this point forward, every time Mr. Hampton is seen on air doing his football talk, viewers will now instantly associate him with Hank Williams Jr, and the like, for their uncalled-for commentary on their hatred for our President. Some like me will now change channels! I know some of these Pro football players actually did use their precious scholarships in college to not only to gain a football face and name, but some took advantage of their scholarships to learn something about themselves and life, some actually learned something. Mr Hampton obviously, just learned how to be a great "Defensive person", pun intended. I wonder if this will now jeopardize his on-air job as it has Mr Williams Jr? It by all means should. Message to performers! stick to performing, leave politics to the professional political pundit's...
Why didn't President Obama invite the Bears sooner? Maybe he had a few more important things going like keeping our country from going bankrupt, saving the american auto industries and in turn thousands of related jobs, trying to manage two wars that were dumped on him and paid for on a credit card, health care for those with pre-existing conditions and children without, the foreclosure mess created during the Bush era, Osama Bin Laden, trying desperately to get the un-american party of NO to help the people rather than their own pocket books and the filthy rich. Yes, Hampton should have gone to the White House if only to show respect for the office of the Presidency. Hampton's a big man in stature and a small man in character.
We yell at the top of our lungs that we're AMERICAN(!) but have no idea how to act like one. No one is asking everyone to like Obama or how he's running the country but we're suppose to respect the Office of the President. It's a symbol of what democracy is. A person put in there by the vote of the majority of the people. The American flag is also a symbol. What if Mr. Hampton didn't like what kind of material it was made of and showed no respect for it. Pretty sure all you so called Americans wouldn't be defending him.
Dan Hampton is many of the things, I have just read about him, however stupid is not in the top five. I believe Mr. Hampton considers much of what has been written here, a compliment. Please keep in mind, that Mr. Hampton did campaign appearances for Adam Kinzinger, in the 2010, 11th Congressional District election. Mr Hampton is a media personality who appears to embrace controversial opinions. He gets paid to talk, and the more interesting the talk, the more "interest" there is. Lastly, I believe Mr. Hampton, should have followed the example of Coach Ditka, and left the politics, to the coming election. Coach Ditka has described his politics as "to the right of Attila the Hun", and He looked to be having an enjoyable time. Michael from New Lenox
EVERY ONE OF THOSE RANGERS STOOD UP AND SALUTED THEIR PRESIDENT AS HE GAVE THEM THEIR MEDAL. Men in wheelchairs proped themselves up to honor their commander in cheif. They agreed to the last man that it was a great honor to have the President of the United States thank them for their service. There wasnt a dry eye in the crowd. Many of these survivors never thought they would return; many knew they would never come back. I can safely say all of these men (ESPECIALLY MY FATHER IN LAW) are Republicans and never voted for Clinton. None of these Rangers cared, they were just happy that someone appreciated what they did. If Army Rangers can go (at their age and health) across the world to be congratulated by a President they never voted for, Dan Hampton could have shut his pie hole and act like its the greatest day of his life for 15 minutes. Obama is the president, but he is also a fan. He lived in Chicago during that time and these ex players are larger that life to him....just like they are to me Dan Hampton should be a WWII Ranger... BE HAPPY THAT SOMEONE STILL APPRECIATES WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED...AND HAPPENS TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.
AirForce Veteran- Went in when I was 17. A part of my oath was to defend this country and follow orders to the death. Those orders were from the Commander in Chief. I didn't care what his policies on healthcare or taxes were. I acknowledge, and would die for, the person that the majority of this country voted to lead us. NOW THAT"S AMERICAN! No one said being of this country would be easy.
When did having 2 ex wives make a man a fine upstanding citizen? 3 years ago he was worried that his last DUI would ruin his chances at the HOF vote the same week. If he wants to act like Hank Williams he can expect to be a lightning rod for controversy. He is a an on air radio personality, he could have excused himself stating person business and no one would be the wiser. He wanted to stir up controversy and we are all guilty of making press. I'm done with this one I'm movin on.