Intentional Grounding: NFL Scrubs Donald Trump From Super Bowl Transcripts

The National Football League took a page out of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's playbook this weekend: No politics, only football. And certainly no President Trump.

The transcripts from NFL's Opening Night of the Super Bowl's "media week" on Monday were absent of any Trump references despite several questions about the President. The NFL, it appears, scrubbed the transcripts of Trump-related content before releasing them - Trump's name didn't appear in any of the more than 50 transcripts the NFL provided.

Trump's buddy-buddy relationship with the Patriots' Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft has been a hot topic of conversation for more than a year now. And as Trump's controversial policies and rhetoric — particularly his recent immigration ban — reverberate throughout the culture, athletes and celebrities are speaking up.

But there's been mostly silence from the NFL.

The transcripts make no mention of Belichick and Brady, both reportedly good friends with Trump, dodging numerous questions related to the president Monday.

"I'm not talking politics at all," Brady told reporters after a few questions, something that wasn't mentioned in the transcripts.

Brady's relationship with Trump has been in play since he was spotted with a Make America Great Again hat in his locker last year. Trump has name-dropped Brady in recent months, including the night before the election when he said he got a call from Brady saying the former MVP voted for Trump.

Trump also read a gushing note of support from Belichick that night, and he's been a Kraft's guest at Patriots' games.

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One Patriots star, chatterbox tight end Martellus Bennett, spoke out Monday against Trump, saying he would likely skip a White House visit if New England wins this Sunday. The NFL doesn't provide a transcript for Bennett on its Opening Night quotes page.

An NFL spokesman told the New York Times the transcripts are not intended to be complete account, but rather a compilation of highlights.

The transcripts did, however, mention Trump's immigration ban when Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu was asked about his feelings on the issue. Trump's name was not mentioned.

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“It’s a very tough situation and I just pray that us as a country and a world can be united as one. It’s really hard for me to talk about this right now," Sanu said.

Sanu, a Muslim, said he expected the questions.

“Of course I knew [I'd be asked.] My name is Mohamed and a lot of people know I am Muslim. But I am here because of my football talents, not because I am Muslim. And I am here to talk about football so if you are going to continue to ask me about my religious beliefs, then I am going to tell you the same thing."

Brady was also asked four times Monday about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who banned Brady for four games this season after a drawn out Deflategate battle in court, according to the New York Times. Goodell's name makes one appearance in all of the transcripts.

The NFL has a history of scrubbing material that could be considered controversial or damaging out of its transcripts at past Super Bowls, including some critical of Goodell and his handling of off-field player discipline.

Trump photo: Gage Skidmore; Brady, Belichick photos: Dan Libon, Patch Staff