Good for Danimal! Like he said, it was 25 years ago. The invitation is nothing more than a failed president doing more campaigning and looking for a few more votes.

Dan Hampton has ALWAYS been a stand up guy and a leader ! He should not be demonized or vilified for his stance on this issue ! He has a RIGHT to his opinion !

If that did'nt happen 25 years ago he'd be pumping gas! He should be ashamed of himself.

A stand up guy? Principles? I guess people have forgotten Hampton's DUI several years ago!

Jim said it best!!

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Dan is smart not be used this way. Why is Obama inviting them now? Why not when he was first inaugurated, back in 2009? Duerson would still have been alive then.

Reagan should have brought them out to California when he first retired. After all, he at least played a football player in the Knute Rockne story!

I'm surprised that people want ot criticize Dan Hampton for not going to the White House. As AMERICANS, we have the right to make our own choices. He has priorities that come first! WTG Danimal!!

I also believe that this invitation is nothing more that a campaign ploy to get votes for the upcoming election.

Let me see ,your neighbor,uncle,brother in law has different views than you do,so you won't ever see them ,talk to them, exchange ideas etc.That big bad bear that I loved to watch and greatly respect could have gone to the white house and discussed his political views if he so desired.What message are you sending to your children ?I was always taught that the office president of the united States demanded our respect no matter what our beliefs might be.

Dan did the right thing. PERIOD!

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Russ, do you really think Obama wants to hear Hampton's views? Narcissists like our president have no use for differing viewpoints. The office of President should be respected, but the occupant of the office needs to earn the respect. The current occupant has fallen short in that regard.

Meeting with a bunch of decrepit ex-jocks is a ploy to gain political popularity? Really?? Idiots on this board prove how totally snowed many Americans are. Wake up, morons: Politicians of all stripes have no incentive to do the right thing unless they're scared of you, and *normal* people know that football players are unimportant outside the realm of sports.

Get your head screwed on straight, get a grip, and overcome the ignorance that has you seeing every tiny thing through a partisan filter--it only makes you look stupid when you talk as though one party or the other has a lock on worthless, failed scumbags. And it makes it even worse when you behave as though meeting a bunch of ex-football players can actually change political fortunes.

Campaign ploy? Really, Joan?

They won in 1986 when Reagan was President and didn't have any ceremony because of the Challenger tragedy. So you might as well blame Bush 1, Clinton and Bush 2 because those Presidents didn't have them at the White House either. So this President decides to show them the respect and honor them (long overdue), but because it's that Socialist Muslim Kenyan Non-American, eeewww. We can't have that. Hampton's an idiot.

Despite how one may feel about Barack Obama who is the man currently occupying the White House, The Presidency or the Office of the President is one to be respected. It’s not about the man but rather about the office. I personally abhorred the previous administration and personally disliked George Bush, however, had the President of the United States asked me to come and meet with him at the White House, and the President just happened to have been George Bush, I would have shown up out of respect for the office and irrespective of my personal disagreement with him on policy matters. Dan Hampton has always been a self-absorbed, egotistical ignoramus.

Homewood Jim: In your opinion, you mean. Because you'd obviously want to argue with someone who said G.W. Bush failed to earn respect. What's funny is you'd both be right--we have a president, not a king--but you'd insist the other is wrong because you're both too caught up in your partisan beliefs to think straight. That's a problem. In fact, it's THE problem.

Get a grip: Either the office of the president demands respect in a particular way, or it doesn't. It's downright childish to go making excuses for why this or that president is an exception, when the REAL reason is that you're so caught up in cult-like partisan thinking that you think of other Americans who disagree with you as traitors not worthy of respect.

Your responses are inadequate. The only "yes" is based on his "principles" but you can agree with his decision because he is an adult with free will who can do whatever he wants; it's certainly not "disrespectful" 25 years later; we haven't required "command performances" in these parts since George III was in charge....

Ditka was there and he's a Republican. He donated to Sen. Kirk, Bush, McCain, the RNC, Guiliani, and a host of other Republican candidates and organizations.

It wasn't a command performance, Juvenal. It was ignorant for Hampton to snub not only the President, BUT HIS FELLOW TEAMMATES.

Dan was and continues to be a jerk. The fact that he went to Arkansaw with all of those pig farmers says it all.

He probably couldn't afford a clean set of clothes. He didn't want to stink from working in pig slop all day.

He's a jerk...again. He embarrassed his teammates and the President. Had nothing to do with politics and any election, you dolts. It was to honor the 1985 TEAM, not Dan Hampton.

A memory he will never have, Dan.

You are a jerk...for the 3rd or 4th time. Even the punky qb was there.

Shame on you Dan. Shame on you.

They should take your HOF bust away from you.

From Wikipedia: "On May 22, 2002, Hampton was sentenced for his third DWI in 6 years. He received a sentence of 1 week in jail, $1000 fine & ordered to attend alcohol education courses....
Hampton is also renowned for coining various catch phrases, such as: "de facto cream-of-the-class, if you will", "throw it against the pallet to see what sticks", and "hit that town like Hurricane Katrina." Hampton later apologized for his Katrina comment, as well as calling himself an "idiot" for comparing the Dallas Cowboys to the cowboys of the film Brokeback Mountain."

Wow. Makes all the apologists here calling him "a stand up guy," "a leader," and "principled" look like utter morons. The only people I've heard of with THREE DUIs are worthless drunks with no respect for their own live or for anyone else's. And his language skill make it look like he's drunk a lot if the time. No wonder he dislikes Obama--he probably hates anyone who's "stuck up" enough to speak properly and avoid drinking until they piss themselves.

Hampton doesn't even behave like a MAN, let alone a stand-up, principled one.

You people are throwing a lot of stones!

His decision - we live in a country of a freedom. His choice doesn't impact one thing in my life. I do recall an NBA player not going to the White House when G W Bush was president. Don't remember hearing how awful he was, in fact - seem to remember the press holding him up on pedastal.

Its about sports not politics.......

Tearing an irresponsible man-boy a new one for racking up his third DUI isn't merely "throwing a stone" any more than condemning someone for standing in a crowded shopping mall and pulling the trigger on a pistol while wearing a blindfold would be. Anybody can make a mistake, but three DUIs is a choice and probably a lifestyle, not a mistake, and it ought to be punished as such. Why would ANYONE make excuses for thus kind of behavior from a supposed man? Why should anyone have to?

Hampton should have attended instead of showing how narrow minded he is. Yet Hampton's appearing at a local grocery store this weekend, how about that for publicity! The White House invite was something denied the Bears due to the Challenger explosion. Get real, President Obama is a Chicagoan and a Bears fan. I'm sure the event was planned well in advance of his declining ratings. Everything the man does is criticized, even though previous presidents did far worse (declaring war on Iraq, signing baleouts) that the current president was left stuck with and having to deal with the aftermath!

Polls continue to show the sane majority of Americans moving further and further away from the two major political parties. Why that's happening is summed up beautifully by the Republican partisans on this board, who are completely willing to celebrate a man who knowingly risks the lives and safety of innocent women and children, simply because the man shares their views about Obama.

When you're willing to hop into bed with an immoral criminal thug just because he says he likes your earrings, it's time to reevaluate your morals.

Joan, pull your head out of your ass. He's going to get votes from a bunch of retired football players? Many Presidents have hosted sports champions over the years. You're just mad because it's a black guy in the White House. Idiot.

Joan Bravo....You are not a lady. You sound like a boozer and loser.

You were the one that called him an "idiot". It was entirely appropriate that he call you an idiot. You are likely a dolt, too.

You and Hampton would likely be a good match....He has 3 DUI's and you likely have a couple, too.

President Obama is a class act. By your words, you likely are a racist, too. Living in the policeman/fireman ghetto around Brother Rice and St. Xavier.

Dan Hampton is a jerk. Deal with it.

Joanie,

This what you spewed: "You bet your bumpus Ted Koppel. He is looking to pick up votes because many people who voted for him before.." Pick up votes because he honored a bunch of retired football players? Lots of Presidents have hosted championship teams at the White House. I didn't vote for him because he was African-American. I voted for him because he was a lot smarter and we thankfully didn't have a dingbat Vice President. No, you're not an idiot. Just an abortion gone wrong. See ya.

Idiot.

Joan....You are a jerk. Hampton is a jerk.

Koppel and I have both made appropriate remarks about you.

You are a racist living in West Beverly.

What a sad old guy. One’s third D.U.I is usually charged as a felony these days. Getting drunk and telling stories about his glory days to a bunch of jock-sniffers seems like a waste of a life. Why does anyone give a rat’s ass about this burn-out’s politics?

"There are plenty of lemmings that will say, aww that was so nice of the President. I'm going to vote for him."

That's as flat-out stupid as believing that folks voted for George W. Bush because his habitual mispronunciation of "nuclear" made him seem authentically rural.

Joan, it's painfully obvious you just Can't Understand Normal Thinking.

Hampton's stated reason for not attending was that his family was not invited as well. Maybe true, maybe not. Don't try to put your own reasons to it. Why are all you people making so much of an ex-football player's choice anyway? .... And calling each other insulting names from behind pseudonyms? You should be ashamed of yourselves. I wonder if the real Ted Koppel would like to know his name and picture are being used in this degrading manner.

Ted. You seem to project a lot for a normal thinker. I think the guy should have gone out of simple respect for his team. I dont think obama did it for votes he has this liberal state or i should say cook county locked anyway. I have tried to respect this man as an american and tried to keep an open mind but he is hurting our country and i think he is the first president in history who loves himself more than our country. I remember a lot of bush bashing from all the tree huggers. As bad as bush was there was no doubt his heart was right. Obama is doing half of exactly what he promised...change. i like america the way it was and still can be if people would take their emotions and egos out of the equation.

Scott,I don't get the love himself more than our country comment.The man is trying to do his job as best he can.He is getting stopped by a republican house since 2010 and a filibustering senate since 2008 whose only goal is to see him fail.I have never seen that kind of response from any previous congress.

Who cares what this guy does anyway. This is America. If he does not want to go, don't go. We have to have something better to focus on. Why is this news?

Scott, you had me nodding up until the "Bush Bashing from tree huggers" comment--that when I realized you were just another partisan. When you get bizarre ideas in your head like "Bush was sincere, Obama is fake" you're just not going to sound rational no matter how hard you try. In some ways, Obama is far better at being Bush than Bush ever was; in other ways, he's simply wishy-washy. Two things are for certain though: 1) By historical standards Obama could barely be called a liberal president, and the fact that people think he's some kind of ultra-liberal just goes to show how far the US has moved to the right; 2) Both Bush and Obama were modern two-party politicians first; their agendas are driven by what's best for party rather than for country, and anyone who publicly proclaims otherwise simply reveals how gullible they really are.

And by the way, "tree hugger" is a ridiculous insult, and always has been. Anybody who hates trees is an unnatural weirdo, and anybody who thinks progress means a choice between trees or industry is ignorant. If Obama supporters are tree huggers, are you a factory hugger?

Scott time after time, Obama was willing to compromise.Many times he agreed to policies that most republicans were for before he(Obama) agreed to them much to the dismay of the left. Presidents often take to the bully pulpit to get there point across.When republicans do it ,it is presidential when Obama does it is bullying.just my observation.It was a great idea to tax the rich when Reagan was president ,http://front.moveon.org/the%2Done%2Dreagan%2Dquote%2Dthat%2Drepublicans%2Ddont%2Dtalk%2Dabout/?rc=daily.share&id=31819-8099997-34CAzEx but now the right is fighting that idea tooth and nail.To me this is not about any president .Your right some politicians today are looking out for themselves,and don't give a damn about the middle class.

Obama invited them because HE IS FROM CHICAGO and felt it was important to have this long overdue honor to the '85 Champs. Your a Moron if you think its about politics or anything else!! Obama is PROUD to be from Chicago and PROUD of the '85 Bears. So keep all your political B.S. views to yourself!
Case closed...

My guess is Hampton didn't go because his wife Gina wouldn't allow him to go alone. His comment about, "It was 25 years ago, let it go" ...... really Dan? You wouldn't have a job on NBC, Sunday nights during football season if it weren't for the '85 Bears, heck you wouldn't even have the Illinois Back Institute commercial. I'm pretty sure Walter Payton was the only one who was really missed yesterday. Glad to see our hometown boy Tom Thayer make the trip - he obviously isn't bitter like Danimal.

This is America and Hampton should be allowed to voice his opinion and beliefs. Thats what makes our country the best.

peace also to you Scott as always I hope and pray for the best for our people and country

F HIM!

Hampton did the right thing, just because Obama clapped his hands and decided he wanted to be entertained by the 1985 bears does not mean they have to jump up like puppets. I have much more respect for Hampton than I do for the Bears that made the decision to entertain Obama.

Dan has every right to make his own choice. He had three reasons for not attending, but the only one that gets any attention is the fact he doesn't like Obama. And if the rest of the world had just respected his right to choose what's right for him, it wouldn't have been the news story and distraction it was. I think it makes sense that Obama was the president to invite the Bears, he's from Chicago, he is friends with some of them, 25 was a big anniversary..no need to make more out of this story than there is.

I remember Hampton crying his eyes out at Walter Payton's memorial service at Soldier Field after Payton died. Hate the President all you want, Dan, but sticking it to your teammates, especially Walter Payton, whose widow and children were there, is really ignorant.

Ted: Hampton didn't go to the White House on Friday because he did not get paid.

Ted: Hampton didn't go to the White House on Friday because he did not get paid.

He went to a book signing at a store because he got paid on Saturday.

He's a pig farmer from Arkansaw. Says it all about him.

He's a big jerk. With his 3 DUI's, he shouldn't be driving for about 10-15 years. Anyone see him driving lately. If you did, you should call the Sun-Times reporter, Fran Spielmand and her investigative reporter team to see why he's driving and how he got his license back.

John Bruno you might want to learn to spell Arkansas before you bash us too much, you idiot!

You're the idiot, mopey.

I tried to spell it as all of the pig farmers (apparently, you're included) in Arkansas pronounce it: Arkansaw.

Wow....Biggest bunch of BALONEY I've read anywhere in the past few months.

Inviting the '85 Bears to the White House had nothing to do with votes.

We are not heading towards socialism....just see what the Repukes did on the debt limit increase bill where the Repukes wanted the US to default to make a point. They won....what did they win? A lowering of the USA credit rating and an increase in the cost of the debt we need to repay, costing Americans billions of dollars on trillions of dollars in debt. Are you Repukes not happy that our government has to pay more in interest expense? Coming out of your pockets, folks.

"Repukes" Clearly you are interested in respectful dialogue Mr. Bruno.....

Juvenal....I'm a former South Sider....tell it like it is.

What the Repukes did to this country with the "Increase the debt limit" vote, was unconscionable.

I hope that the people remember that in November, 2012.

No one wants to run on the Repuke ticket except the same old, same old.

Homewood....I live very, very well, thank you.

I don't dodge anything, that is why I stand up to mopes like you.

While I read about him in college, not my style.

Hope all Repukes get voted out of office in 2012. They've hurt this economy enough.

Not likely based on the 2010 mid-terms. Wishing you all the best for the next 8 years under the next Repuke President!

I think your reading too much into the 2010 results.

Dan Hampton has no class!
When a former professional football player or athlete, is asked to visit the white house and meet the president of the United States, why would they pass up an opportunity such as this? To experience something only a chosen few are allowed to experience. Something to tell your grandchildren about. Dan Hampton, like Hank Williams Jr, believes Obama is the Enemy", someone not worthy of the great Mr. Hampton's presence. If Dan Hampton cannot differentiate politics from sport, like Hank Williams Jr, he truly has much to learn about adulthood! Is Mr. Hampton such a fool that he does not recognize the fact that from this point forward, every time Mr. Hampton is seen on air doing his football talk, viewers will now instantly associate him with Hank Williams Jr, and the like, for their uncalled-for commentary on their hatred for our President. Some like me will now change channels! I know some of these Pro football players actually did use their precious scholarships in college to not only to gain a football face and name, but some took advantage of their scholarships to learn something about themselves and life, some actually learned something. Mr Hampton obviously, just learned how to be a great "Defensive person", pun intended. I wonder if this will now jeopardize his on-air job as it has Mr Williams Jr? It by all means should. Message to performers! stick to performing, leave politics to the professional political pundit's...

Bill
Why didn't President Obama invite the Bears sooner? Maybe he had a few more important things going like keeping our country from going bankrupt, saving the american auto industries and in turn thousands of related jobs, trying to manage two wars that were dumped on him and paid for on a credit card, health care for those with pre-existing conditions and children without, the foreclosure mess created during the Bush era, Osama Bin Laden, trying desperately to get the un-american party of NO to help the people rather than their own pocket books and the filthy rich. Yes, Hampton should have gone to the White House if only to show respect for the office of the Presidency. Hampton's a big man in stature and a small man in character.

Very well said, Bill. Very well said.

Yeah, thank God we have Obama to save us. We'd REALLY be screwed without all the hope and change.

thanks bill,good points

You know what? The White House is much better off without this clown.

The President is in the White House because of DEMOCRACY!! People die to defend that ideology. He is the result of.
We yell at the top of our lungs that we're AMERICAN(!) but have no idea how to act like one.
No one is asking everyone to like Obama or how he's running the country but we're suppose to respect the Office of the President.
It's a symbol of what democracy is. A person put in there by the vote of the majority of the people.
The American flag is also a symbol. What if Mr. Hampton didn't like what kind of material it was made of and showed no respect for it.
Pretty sure all you so called Americans wouldn't be defending him.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dan Hampton is many of the things, I have just read about him, however stupid is not in the top five. I believe Mr. Hampton considers much of what has been written here, a compliment. Please keep in mind, that Mr. Hampton did campaign appearances for Adam Kinzinger, in the 2010, 11th Congressional District election. Mr Hampton is a media personality who appears to embrace controversial opinions. He gets paid to talk, and the more interesting the talk, the more "interest" there is. Lastly, I believe Mr. Hampton, should have followed the example of Coach Ditka, and left the politics, to the coming election. Coach Ditka has described his politics as "to the right of Attila the Hun", and He looked to be having an enjoyable time.
Michael from New Lenox

My father in law served in WW II. To commerate the 50 th Anniversary of D Day he traveled to Fracne to participate in the ceremonies at Utah Beach.Bill Clinton appeared to give a speach and present the veterans present a medal of thanks for their sacrifice 50 years ago.

EVERY ONE OF THOSE RANGERS STOOD UP AND SALUTED THEIR PRESIDENT AS HE GAVE THEM THEIR MEDAL. Men in wheelchairs proped themselves up to honor their commander in cheif. They agreed to the last man that it was a great honor to have the President of the United States thank them for their service. There wasnt a dry eye in the crowd. Many of these survivors never thought they would return; many knew they would never come back.

I can safely say all of these men (ESPECIALLY MY FATHER IN LAW) are Republicans and never voted for Clinton. None of these Rangers cared, they were just happy that someone appreciated what they did.

If Army Rangers can go (at their age and health) across the world to be congratulated by a President they never voted for, Dan Hampton could have shut his pie hole and act like its the greatest day of his life for 15 minutes.

Obama is the president, but he is also a fan. He lived in Chicago during that time and these ex players are larger that life to him....just like they are to me

Dan Hampton should be a WWII Ranger... BE HAPPY THAT SOMEONE STILL APPRECIATES WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED...AND HAPPENS TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.

Amen OL resident

Well said OL.
AirForce Veteran- Went in when I was 17. A part of my oath was to defend this country and follow orders to the death. Those orders were from the Commander in Chief. I didn't care what his policies on healthcare or taxes were. I acknowledge, and would die for, the person that the majority of this country voted to lead us.

NOW THAT"S AMERICAN! No one said being of this country would be easy.

You have got to be kidding me. He was a football player, not a Marine, Army Soldier, or anything else that requires serving the country. He has the right to not go to the White House if he doesn't want to, no matter what his reasons are. If people spent less time judging others in this world, and more time worrying about their own actions, this world just might be a better place.

Sarah is he not making a judgement not to go based on his political beliefs? He decided not to go because he opposes the guy. Not becasue his family was not invited.

When did having 2 ex wives make a man a fine upstanding citizen? 3 years ago he was worried that his last DUI would ruin his chances at the HOF vote the same week.

If he wants to act like Hank Williams he can expect to be a lightning rod for controversy. He is a an on air radio personality, he could have excused himself stating person business and no one would be the wiser. He wanted to stir up controversy and we are all guilty of making press. I'm done with this one I'm movin on.