They may be a bit older with aching bones and stiff backs, but the 1972 Miami Dolphins will bask in presidential glory Tuesday as they finally receive their long overdue White House celebration — all except three members of the legendary team.
Perfectville residents Manny Fernandez, Bob “Kooch” Kuechenberg and Jim Langer have all opted out of the trip down Pennsylvania Avenue citing political reasons. Two more may follow suit, Florida’s Sun-Sentinel reported. The team, led by famed head coach Don Shula, now 83, will be honored by the President in an afternoon ceremony that’s 41 years in the making.
“I want to be careful, because mom said if you have nothing good to say about someone, then don’t say anything,” Kuechenberg told the Sun-Sentinel. “I don’t have anything good to say about someone.”
The honor from the White House and President Obama is one that is long delayed. When the Dolphins won Super Bowl VII in 1973, U.S. Presidents — Richard Nixon at the time — weren’t in the habit of celebrating sports champions just yet. But that’s all changed, as this year alone President Obama has praised the 2013 Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens; the NCAA basketball champs, the Louisville Cardinals; and the World Series title holders, the San Francisco Giants, to name a few.
Still, the three members of the National Football League’s lone team boasting a perfect season aren’t budging.
“We’ve got some real moral compass issues in Washington,” Hall of Fame center Langer said. “I don’t want to be in a room with those people and pretend I’m having a good time. I can’t do that. If that [angers] people, so be it.”
Langer originally said he had a prior engagement and will spend the day fishing with his 4-year-old grandson, Max.
“I’ll just say my views are diametrically opposed to the President’s,” Fernandez said. “Enough said. Let’s leave it at that. I hope everyone enjoys the trip who goes.”
And though it’s taken four decades for the team to finally be recognized by a sitting President, Kuechenberg isn’t changing his mind.
“I don’t belong there, I’ll tell you that,” the former offensive lineman said. “Without being critical, I can just tell you I don’t belong. It would be hypocritical of me to be there.
“I don’t want to do that. I just don’t believe in this administration at all. So I don’t belong. Anyone on the left or the right has to respect one man’s opinion.”
