Tom Brady Skips Patriots’ White House Visit Because Of Family Commitment

UPDATE (2:30 p.m. ET): Tom Brady indeed wasn’t present on the podium on the White House lawn as President Barack Obama introduced the New England Patriots.

ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots’ biggest star will be conspicuously absent from the Super Bowl champions’ White House visit Thursday.

Quarterback Tom Brady won’t attend the Patriots’ trip to meet President Barack Obama because of a prior family commitment, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss first reported.

Brady made prior trips to the White House in 2002, 2004 and 2005 after the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl titles. The Patriots will be honored by Obama at 2 p.m. ET.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images