Nick Saban turns down Bush dinner invitation

[Tunescribe]

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story/_a/d...990001?cid=942


Dolphins' Saban Declines Bush's Invite
Coach Too Busy to Eat With President
By STEVE WINE
AP Sports
DAVIE, Fla. (July 31) - When the White House called with an invitation to dine with President Bush, Dan Marino took it. But the coach of his former team said no.

Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Monday that his obligations at training camp took priority over a chance to meet the president.

"It was really a tough decision," Saban said. "I feel like my first responsibility is our team. That in no way disrespects the importance of the opportunity I would have loved to have had to spend dinner with the President."

The invitation was for dinner with Bush on Sunday night at Joe's Stone Crabs, a landmark Miami Beach restaurant. Marino, a former Dolphins quarterback and an NFL Hall of Famer, did attend, Bush said in a speech Monday.

Several Dolphins players said they weren't surprised that Saban put his team ahead of the president.

"We all know Nick is serious about what we're doing here and is committed to it," defensive end Jason Taylor said.

[DarrylS]

Guess he has his priorities straight, not sure about the Dolphins though.

[Tunescribe]

I'm wondering if he's pissed at Bush's environmental policy (global warming = more/stronger hurricanes) and his fumbled response to the Katrina disaster ... Nah.

[BradyForPresident]

the dolphins should suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team and the nation, what a disgraceful thing to do. You dont snub the president in wartime, and its not like one of the coords couldn't run one lousy practice. It would be good pr for the 'fins and good pr for America, but someone was too 'busy' to meet with the most important man in the world.

[Patters]

Originally Posted by BradyForPresident

the dolphins should suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team and the nation, what a disgraceful thing to do. You dont snub the president in wartime, and its not like one of the coords couldn't run one lousy practice. It would be good pr for the 'fins and good pr for America, but someone was too 'busy' to meet with the most important man in the world.

Our President is an incompetent idiot who created the wartime through lies and deceit. Propping up his incompetence is not in the interest of the United States. The more people who disrespect Bush, the less harm Bush will be able to do. He is already getting weaker and weaker, even in his own party. Whether or not Saban intended to snub him, he deserves credit for being a coach rather than a political a$$wipe. (That said, if he wins a SB, and I pray he doesn't, then I think the team should visit the Pres.)

[wistahpatsfan]

Originally Posted by BradyForPresident

the dolphins should suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team and the nation, what a disgraceful thing to do. You dont snub the president in wartime, and its not like one of the coords couldn't run one lousy practice. It would be good pr for the 'fins and good pr for America, but someone was too 'busy' to meet with the most important man in the world.

I hate the Dolphins...now I really hate them.

[Harry Boy]

Now he's a hero to all the "Looneys".

[Tunescribe]

Originally Posted by Harry Boy

Now he's a hero to all the "Looneys".

Why would Bush and his pals consider him a hero?

[IcyPatriot]

Originally Posted by Patters

Our President is an incompetent idiot who created the wartime through lies and deceit. Propping up his incompetence is not in the interest of the United States. The more people who disrespect Bush, the less harm Bush will be able to do. He is already getting weaker and weaker, even in his own party. Whether or not Saban intended to snub him, he deserves credit for being a coach rather than a political a$$wipe. (That said, if he wins a SB, and I pray he doesn't, then I think the team should visit the Pres.)

There are times I'd swear someone else posts under your name.

[Patters]

Originally Posted by F.B.N.

There are times I'd swear someone else posts under your name.

I've never been a hero worshipper; that's why the notion that turning down Bush is a snub on America strikes me as ludicrous.