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After the Super Bowl confetti settled, New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long announced he won't visit the White House — a customary honor for championship teams. He joins a trio of Patriots players who won't be attending, some for political reasons.

Long insists he's not "joining" anyone, though. NY Daily News writer Chuck Modi wrote an open letter to Long, urging him to stand up to Donald Trump instead of ditching the White House visit altogether.

Long answered Modi on Twitter, emphasizing that his teammates didn't influence his decision.

Oh Chuck. Planned on skipping, hadn't been asked. Don't need an open letter explaining my own words to me. Not *joining* anyone. My call. https://t.co/XWo9x2XT40

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) February 9, 2017

Long hasn't elaborated on exactly why he won't be attending, but go ahead and add his name to the list of Patriots players — Martellus Bennett, Devin McCourty and Dont'a Hightower — who won't visit Trump's White House.

In a text to TIME earlier this week, McCourty laid out his own reasons.

"I'm not going to the White House," McCourty said. "Basic reason for me is I don't feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won't."

Bennett echoed that sentiment.

Martellus Bennett on if he'd go to the White House if Patriots win the Super Bowl: Most likely not, because I don't support the person in it

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 31, 2017

This isn't the first time Bennett and McCourty have made subtle, yet powerful, political statements.

Early in the season, the two supported Colin Kaepernick's national anthem movement — during which the 49ers quarterback kneeled during the Star-Spangled Banner to protest racial inequalities in America — by raising their fists.

Here are Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty raising their fists for the National Anthem. Patriots, both. pic.twitter.com/rDilAEaCUj

— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) September 12, 2016

Bennett also appears to be on a humanitarian roll this week. He unleashed a wave of beautiful, inspiring tweets, encouraging people to look beyond and defy societal stereotypes.

I appreciate all of the love. I honestly just want people to look at black kids and not say he's the next Michael Jordan all the damn time

— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 8, 2017

I want them to be able to look into the crowd and say oh he's the next President. She's gonna be the next Spielberg. He's like Steve Jobs

— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 8, 2017

It's all good though. I will not get inside the box society provides for everyone at birth.

— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 7, 2017

And the box society sent for my daughter at birth we built a rocket ship out of it.

— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 7, 2017

The Patriots' visit to Trump's White House is yet to be scheduled. And as quarterback Tom Brady pointed out a couple years ago, the trips are often scheduled last minute, making it difficult for players to cancel previously scheduled plans. Essentially, missing the trip doesn't always entail a political statement.

Take Hightower, for example. He already went as a BCS National Champion with the University of Alabama's football team.

"Been there, done that," Dont'a Hightower said, also noting he didn't go to White House in 2014 w/ Pats. Had previously been with Alabama.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 8, 2017

Bennett, McCourty and Long aren't the first athletes opposed to touring Trump's White House.

Since Trump's election, it's become a recurring question around sports — to visit or not to visit? Many NBA teams want nothing to do with Trump. The Chicago Cubs made sure to sneak in a trip to Washington, D.C., before Barack Obama bounced.

But the Patriots are different, because they're, you know, the Patriots.

They don red, white and blue. Their mascot is an American Revolution soldier. Skipping a visit to the nation's capital could seem like a rejection of the team's namesake. Some argue New England is now "America's Team."

It's time to rip the "America's Team" nickname from the Dallas Cowboys and give it to the New England Patriots.... https://t.co/LjUEpuvXuB

— Derek Togerson (@DerekNBCSD) February 9, 2017

The Patriots are America's Team. pic.twitter.com/mJ4mqDK07j

— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) February 7, 2017

That brings us back to Brady. The situation is complicated by the fact that several Patriots have strong ties to Donald Trump.

Brady and Trump are buds. Same goes for head coach Bill Belichik, and owner Robert Kraft. Their relationship with the president made headlines leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, particularly when Trump picked New England to win the big game.

So it looks like the Patriots are divided. Maybe that makes them America's Team after all.