Dan Hampton Snubs Obama: ‘I’m Not a Fan of the Guy in the White House’

Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Dan Hampton snubbed an invitation to the White House from President Obama, someone who he claims he is not a fan of.

It's my own personal choice, Hampton told The Mully and Hanley Show on WSCR this week. I'm not a fan of the guy in the White House, and, hey, it was 25 years ago. Let it go.

It basically just rolled off our backs, and now, 25 years later to say, 'Oh yeah, let's put the band back together.' No, I'm not in, Hampton said.

President Obama invited the 1985-1986 Chicago Bears team, who won the Superbowl, to the White House for a long belated celebration of a 25 year anniversary Superbowl win from his hometown team. The Bear's trip to the White House never happened in 1986, as the Challenger space shuttle exploded two days following the Superbowl, prompting then President Reagan to cancel.

While Hampton declined the invitation from Obama for personal reasons, notably his distaste for the President, he also pointed out one invitation was just not enough.

No family, no kids. How do you go to the White House, and you tell your kids and your wife, 'Oh, well, I'm sorry. You're not invited.' It doesn't matter for you,' Hampton told Mully and Hanley.

While Hampton snubbed the invite, coach Mike Ditka told ESPN Radio, I'll be happy to go. I'm excited to go, the Bears are excited to go.

Dan Hampton played for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.