I don't see the point of overt patriotism in league-based pro sports. Why are national anthems played at the beginning of matches at all? When an NFL team plays another NFL team, both are based in American cities where presumably almost all the fans are Americans. Logically, one is no more nor less patriotic a fan to support, say, the New England Patriots than is another to support the New York Jets. And in sports like hockey, basketball and baseball there are increasing numbers of international players who have no particular allegiance to either the U.S. or Canada (where in the latter case a handful of franchises are located). Anthems should be restricted to international matches between national teams. And White House visits should be entirely optional for members of winning league teams.