Dan Hampton Posted 9/28/11 1:10 p.m.
CHICAGO (WLS) - Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Dan Hampton says he will not be joining his fellow teammates when they visit the White House next month.
Hampton, a member of the Bears 1985 Super Bowl championship team, made the comments on Chicago's Mully and Hanley radio show Monday.
"It's my personal choice," the four-time Pro Bowler said. "I don't choose to go."
Hampton said he was bothered that the invitation did not include players' wives and children and added, "Secondly, Im not a fan of the guy in the White House, and third, it was 25 years ago. Let it go.
Obama, an ardent fan of his hometown team, extended an invite to the 1985 Super Bowl Champions last week. The team is scheduled to visit the White House on Oct. 7.
Super Bowl champions are traditionally honored with a visit to the White House. But plans for the 1985 Bears to come to Washington were scrapped when the space shuttle Challenger exploded just days after their victory in January 1986.
"It basically just rolled off our backs, and now, 25 years later to say, Lets put the band back together. No, Im not in, Hampton said.
Hampton played all 12 years of his professional career with Bears.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.