In lieu of a White House visit, Warriors will spend time with D.C. area kids on upcoming trip

We’ve known for a long time that the Golden State Warriors would not be continuing the custom of visiting the White House following their title run. The champagne bottles were still being popped when rumors emerged from the locker room that the team would turn down an invitation from Donald Trump.

Before the team could officially come to a decision, the president petulantly disinvited them. And that was seemingly that.

However, the time is approaching when the team would have made their visit, if it had happened. The Warriors are making their annual visit to Capital One Arena on Wednesday, February 28, to play the Washington Wizards. With an off day separating that game and a Thursday game against the Atlanta Hawks, the Warriors would have visited the White House on March 1.

But the team isn’t just taking the day off. In lieu of the trip, they’re doing something special. As reported by ESPN, coach Steve Kerr gave his players the power in deciding what to do with the off day.

“It’s their championship,” Kerr said. “They got disinvited to the White House, so it’s up to them what they wanted to do. So they made their plans. I want the players to have a good day and to do something positive and to enjoy what they’re doing.”

While the team won’t disclose what they’ll be doing, they did say that they’ll take a private tour of a local area. Media will not be allowed, but the team will be accompanied by a group of local students.

Given the area they’ll be in, and the current discourse in the nation, it seems likely that the team chose a location that is both historical and empowering. The fact that they’re choosing to spend the day with kids, away from the spotlight, is pretty amazing.

It certainly beats going to the White House.