HOUSTON — Everyone knew Tom Brady wasn’t going to talk about Donald Trump’s travel ban, but staying away from the subject proved to be a strategy for players regardless of their relationship with the President.
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While Martellus Bennett said he most likely would not go to the White House if the Patriots won the Super Bowl because he doesn’t like Donald Trump, players generally shied away from the ban.
Included in that group was Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu, who is Muslim. Asked about Trump’s executive order, which keeps refugees from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia from entering the States, Sanu expressed disappointment but tried to keep the discussion on Super Bowl LI.
“It’s a very tough situation and I just pray that us as a country and a world can be united as one,” Sanu said. “It’s really hard for me to talk about this right now. It would take a lot of time so I just want to focus on the game and focus on football.”
Added Sanu: “I knew [I’d be asked about the ban]. My name is Mohamed and a lot of people know I am Muslim, but I am here because of my football talents, not because I am Muslim.”
New England Patriots
Working as Atlanta’s No. 2 receiver, Sanu finished the regular season 653 receiving yards on 59 catches with four touchdowns after leaving Cincinnati in free agency. He has nine catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns this postseason.
Sanu drew attention from the Patriots in free agency, but said there was “really not that much” talk of a deal coming together.