Patriots' Martellus Bennett Promotes Social Unity Following Presidential Election
BOSTON (CBS) -- Patriots tight end Michael Bennett is as outspoken as they come, especially in the New England locker room.
That should be expected from a man who calls himself "The Imagination Agency." Given that the presidential election became such a hot topic down at One Patriot Place over the last week, Bennett was asked about his thoughts on the future under president-elect Donald Trump. Bennett, who said he was a Hillary Clinton supporter on social media, said he's a little worried about what's ahead, but he respects the results.
"Everyone is a little nervous about the whole presidency, but it is what it is. There is nothing we can do about it or nothing I can say. The people have spoken," said Bennett.
He added that politics in the locker room will not get in the way of him being a good teammate, or the Patriots accomplishing their ultimate goal.
"Politics are [messed] up from the get-go anyways," he said. "I'm not mad at people; I believe in people. What your religion is, what color you are, what you do on your spare time – none of that bothers me. As long as you're a nice human being when we're together, I don't care. I'm not against anyone. I just come to work and I'll be around anybody. I promote growth and community. I'm not trying to divide or separate anybody. That's not what I do."
Bennett said his focus is making sure he teaches his young daughter to respect and accept everyone for who they are, as he displayed in a heartfelt Instagram post following Tuesday's election:
Bennett discussed that post on Thursday, saying that playing a game for a living is fun, but being a father is what really matters.
"Tight end is cool, but being a father is the best job a man can possibly have. As a parent, I just want to make sure I'm doing my job to create a community I want to raise my daughter in," he said. "She is the future of America and all of her peers are the future. That's why I'm such an advocate for kids reading, coloring, drawing and creating. They're creating the future for themselves. By helping kids I'm helping my daughter have a better future, and that's what it's all about.
"It's everyone coming together and finding a way to have a better universe for us all. I sound like Gandhi, but that's just who I am and what I believe," he said.
As for his job on the football field, Bennett and the Patriots will welcome the Seattle Seahawks to Gillette Stadium for a prime time matchup on Sunday. Bennett is familiar with the Seattle organization with his brother, Michael, a star defensive end on the team. But there will be no Bennett brother showdown, as Michael will miss Sunday's tilt after undergoing knee surgery last week.
He loves his older brother, but Martellus is OK they won't be exchanging blows come Sunday evening.
"Nope, not upset at all. Mike is a hell of a player, always has been. It's fun to play against… actually it's not fun. I hate playing against him," he said. "You always want your brother to be healthy and root for him to do well, but not this week. 'I don't want you to go out and be terrible, but I don't want you to go out and be great either. Find a way to be a C-average student like you were growing up.'"
Though they won't be going head-to-head, his older brother will still be on Bennett's mind when he suits up on Sunday.
"He's the ultimate big brother; I just go out and try to make him proud when I go out and play," Bennett said.
