Georgia’s championship team declines White House invitation

The Georgia Bulldogs football team declined an invitation to the White House, citing scheduling conflicts, according to coach Kirby Smart.

The Bulldogs were invited to the White House to celebrate their victory in the 2017-2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. However, the team declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts.

“We are grateful for the invitation to the White House and honored to have been recognized as national champions,” Smart said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we will not be able to make the trip to Washington due to scheduling conflicts. We wish the president and his administration the best in their continued efforts to support our nation.”

The decision to decline the invitation comes amidst a nationwide controversy over White House visits by sports teams. Several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Golden State Warriors, have declined invitations in recent years citing political differences and other reasons.

Despite the controversy, some teams have still made the trip to Washington to visit the White House, including the Clemson Tigers football team and the Houston Astros baseball team.

The Georgia Bulldogs finished the 2017-2018 season with a record of 13-2, winning the Southeastern Conference championship before defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinal, and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship game. It was the first national championship for the Bulldogs in over 30 years.

Regardless of their decision not to visit the White House, the Bulldogs remain one of the top college football teams in the country, and are expected to be a contender for the national championship again in the upcoming season.