Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly said again Wednesday that he would not visit the White House if President Donald Trump invites the team to celebrate their Stanley Cup win.
Ahead of the Caps' historic victory last week, Smith-Pelly had vowed not to attend should the team win and receive an invitiation from Trump.
"The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist," Canada's Postmedia quoted Smith-Pelly as saying June 6, as the Capitals prepared for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
"Some of the things he's said are pretty gross. I'm not too into politics, so I don't know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don't agree with," he said. "It hasn't come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up."
During an autograph signing Wednesday night, Smith-Pelly reaffirmed his statement.
"I stand by what I said," he told News4.
Smith-Pelly, one of two black Capitals players, is from the Toronto area. He spoke two days after Trump canceled the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House, and a day after NBA stars LeBron James and Curry both said they wouldn't visit.
Trump said Friday that he expected to welcome the Caps to the White House, but he added, "If they don't want to be here, I don't want them."
The president pointed out that he's had several championship teams at the White House, including the NFL's New England Patriots and the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
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"I think we'll have the Caps. I mean, we'll see," Trump said. "You know, my attitude: If they want to be here, it's the greatest place on Earth, I'm here. If they don't want to be here, I don't want them."
The Capitals won the best-of-seven series in the fifth game June 7.
