April 21 (UPI) — Jacoby Brissett was one of the 34 New England Patriots to attend Wednesday’s White House visit. After the trip, he thanked Barack Obama.
The Patriots backup quarterback wrote a long Instagram post Wednesday talking to the former president.
“Dear Big O, I am writing you this letter to say thank you,” Brissett wrote. “I want to thank you for what you have done for this country – outside of politics. Honestly, I don’t know enough about politics to judge what was good or bad, but I want you to know that when you said “Yes We Can” – a young man dreaming a dream from rough circumstances in Florida heard you.”
Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo were the only quarterbacks in attendance Wednesday, while Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady decided not to attend due to a family matter.
“When you were elected President for the first time I was 16 and I watched you make the never-imaginable, attainable and I heard your cry to inspire hope,” Brissett wrote. “I used those words as motivation and saw your achievement as an opportunity and permission to work make my dreams come true too. You were the President of the United States – the highest office in the world. You broke a barrier and a stereotype proving not every minority has to use a ball to make a way.”
“You’ve inspired a lifetime of dreamers young and old,” Brissett wrote. “Now, kids from my community – and my future children – will know that there is no dream too big – even they could be the President of the United States. As I prepare for the honor of visiting the White House, I will be there as a Super Bowl Champion – and I will think of you, mainly because the White House is a different, and better place because you lived there.”
Brissett, 23, went 1-1 as a starter last season, completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 400 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown or an interception. He also ran for 83 yards and a score. Brissett is due $580,038 in 2017 and is signed through 2019.
“I was a kid that came from nothing and I am living out one of the greatest dreams of my life. I am just grateful for the opportunity to walk on the same steps as you did, and to have a platform to inspire and I hope to leave my mark on history the way you did,” Brissett wrote.
Brissett attended William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., before playing at North Carolina State and Florida.
“One day, when I meet you, I will shake your hand and say thank you to your face but until then this kid is going to continue to dream until I can’t anymore,” Brissett wrote. “Thank you for blazing a trail, but for more than that, for leaving a paved road behind you for others to climb on. The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your DREAMS – Oprah Yes we can!! DREAM BIG!! Thank you, Jacoby Brissett P.S Holla at me to help you with your broke jump shot.”
The Patriots disputed a New York Times Twitter post Wednesday, which showed the disparity in players attending the White House in 2015 compared to those visiting in 2017.
“These photos lack context. Facts: In 2015, over 40 football staff were on the stairs. In 2017, they were seated on the South Lawn,” The Patriots tweeted.
Wednesday was the fifth time in franchise history that the Patriots have visited a president at the White House.
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