Patriots’ Bennett skipping White HouseHOUSTON — Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett says he is not worried about upsetting team owner Robert Kraft by not attending New England’s trip to the White House as Super Bowl champions.Bennett said after the Patriots’ win that he’s “not going to go” to the traditional meet-and-greet with the president. It will be the first visit of a Super Bowl champion to Washington since Donald Trump was sworn into office.Trump’s positions have alienated some athletes, which has raised questions about whether some might choose to skip the trip while the new president is in office.But Bennett said he isn’t concerned about it and thinks the team believes “in whatever I want to do.”Kraft is a supporter of Trump and attended a celebration dinner in Washington for him the night before his inauguration.

Pro Football HOF adds 7 inducteesHOUSTON — Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Terrell Davis and quarterback Kurt Warner are part of the seven-man class heading into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Sackmaster Jason Taylor and kicker Morten Andersen also made it in, along with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a contributor, and Seahawks safety Kenny Easley, a senior nominee.Like Taylor, Tomlinson got in on his first ballot. In nine seasons with the Chargers and two more with the Jets, he redefined the running back position, as dangerous catching the ball (for 4,772 career yards) and he was running it (13,684).Warner won one Super Bowl and two overall MVP awards while leading “The Greatest Show on Turf” with the Rams.Davis led Denver to two titles over a career that covered a mere 78 games. In 1998, he became the fourth player to surpass 2,000 yards rushing in a season.

Tagliabue rejection no big surpriseHOUSTON — Paul Tagliabue’s rejection by Hall of Fame voters didn’t come as a surprise to one of the biggest critics of the NFL’s research and handling of head injuries.“You can’t underestimate what those decisions made on concussions in the ’90s have cost football players and their families,” Chris Nowinski told The Associated Press shortly after the former commissioner was left out of this year’s class.Tagliabue led the NFL from 1989-2006, bringing owners onto the same page, getting stadiums built and cementing pro football’s status as America’s most-successful sport.

Pierce emotional over Boston farewellBOSTON — Paul Pierce was back in the starting lineup against his former team as coach Doc Rivers gave him a chance to say farewell to the Boston fans.Pierce hadn’t played since Dec. 31 and has appeared in just 12 games this season for the Los Angeles Clippers. The 39-year-old played 15 years with the Celtics.