NFL Super Bowl champ Chris Long explains why he wouldn't accept White House invite

WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) – NFL Super Bowl champ Chris Long said he won't visit the White House if invited because of comments the president made after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. last year.

Long was responding to a Tweet posted by Sinclair Broadcast Group's Chief Political Analyst Boris Epshteyn. Epshteyn challenged the players to show up and have a conversation with the president about their concerns.

"This makes no sense to me. If you disagree with @realDonaldTrump and have something to say, why miss likely the only opportunity you will have to express that to him in person @JOEL9ONE," Epshteyn asked Long in a Tweet.

“Who were the fine people on the side of the Nazis and KKK that gathered in my hometown the day a terrorist put 20 ppl in the hospital? Why reference the hatred and bigotry on “many sides” that day? Why didn’t you immediately denounce them?” the defensive end explained.

One person died when a car drove into counter-protesters at the rally.

Commenting on the news event at the time during a press conference, President Donald Trump stated, "You had a group on one side that was bad," noting "and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. And nobody wants to say that. But I’ll say it right now.”

“I think there is blame on both sides and I have no doubt about it.”

Trump also tweeted "We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!"

"The lack of condemnation of said groups is either a calculated omission to pander to an ugly corner of our country OR he agrees with those folks. Either way, no convo needed. It’s absolutely your right," the defensive end explained.

Long, the son of Pro-Football Hall of Fame member Howie Long, is among several other players who have publicly stated they would not attend a celebration ceremony for their Super Bowl win at the White House if the Eagles were invited.