It was barely two years ago when an emotional
Tim Thomas -- draped in an American flag -- stood in the middle of a frozen Fenway Park and told the sellout crowd that he was "American to the bone." Thomas, of course, just played in the 2010 Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers, and was selected as a member of the 2010 US Olympic team that would end up finishing with a Silver medal in Vancouver.
The selection came as an obvious thrill to Thomas, whose pride as an American is anything but hidden. The 37-year-old Bruins goaltender dons an American flag on the back of his mask, an eagle on the front, and is never not staring up at the Garden rafters during the National Anthem.
(Seriously, you literally cannot break his concentration during
Rene Rancourt's rendition of the tune.)
But when Thomas opted out of joining the rest of the 2010-11 Bruins (with the exception of Bruin-turned-Star
Michael Ryder) at the White House for a meet-and-greet photo op with President Barack Obama, the public image of the Boston netminder was skewed in a way that was anything but fair.
According to the world, Thomas became a hypocrite and anything but American. His views were questioned, despicable racial motives were talked about, and even his children were brought into the discussion because of the names the Thomases chose for them. His actions were revolting, and it was a disrespectful move by Thomas to decline the invitation to a non-mandatory function.
Or it was what this country was founded on. Either or, right guys?
What Thomas did today was gutsy. Incredibly gutsy, in fact. We live in a country where people of all walks -- guys like you, me, or even athletes -- can feel and think the way they want to without fear of somebody saying "F--- you, we're taking you away."
The notion that Thomas' actions are a 'selfish gesture' or a 'snub to the country he lives in' are pure unadulterated trash. While athletes don't tend to reveal their political affiliations (Why the hell would they?) -- let's not play dumb: They have them.
Whether or not you agree with Thomas, at the end of the day, his decision not to go is
his choice and his choice alone. It's his right, just as it's your right to slam him for not going. Freedom of speech, right?
Speaking of which, this was what Thomas, a noted 'Tea Party' member, said via his Facebook page at six o'clock this evening.
I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.
This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT
In my opinion, that's a perfect statement for No. 30 to make. After all, like I said, this is what this country's about. Not everyone has to agree with one another, not everyone has to say yes to appease thousands (or millions) just because of the backlash that he'll face, and Thomas is sticking up for his own beliefs.
And that, my friends, is the most American thing you can do.
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