Former President Donald Trump hosted the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at the White House on Monday, but several key players, including standout quarterback Jalen Hurts, chose to skip the celebration. According to a White House official who requested anonymity, Hurts and other players cited scheduling conflicts as their reason for not attending the event.
Despite Jalen Hurts' absence, Trump praised him as a “terrific guy and terrific player,” highlighting his remarkable performance throughout the Eagles' championship run. “The Eagles have turned out to be an incredible team, an incredible group,” Trump stated, demonstrating his admiration for the NFL team.
In April, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasized that attending the White House celebration is not mandatory for players, stating, “Our culture is that these are optional things. If you want to enjoy this, come along and we’ll have a great time and if you don’t, it is totally an optional thing.” This perspective aligns with the team's values, allowing players the freedom to choose.
Other notable players who did not attend Monday's ceremony included AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Brandon Graham. The Eagles had previously faced controversy when they were disinvited to the White House in 2018 after several players expressed their intention to skip the event due to tensions surrounding national anthem protests.
During Trump's first term, he publicly criticized players who knelt during the national anthem as a form of protest against racial inequality. He stated on social media that the Eagles were in dispute “with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
Recently, when asked about his potential attendance at the White House visit during a red carpet event, Hurts responded with an awkward silence before walking away, indicating a possible hesitation to engage with the political aspect of the invitation.
In contrast, Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ star running back, visited Trump at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey over the weekend and even flew to Washington on Air Force One. Trump remarked, “He loved it,” referring to Barkley’s experience aboard the presidential plane. “He’s a great young guy and an incredible football player. Saquon had a season for the ages, running behind the most powerful offensive line in the NFL,” Trump added.
Following his visit, Barkley addressed criticisms on social media regarding his time spent with Trump, asserting that he has also golfed with former President Barack Obama. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand,” Barkley posted, reflecting his belief in maintaining respect for the presidency regardless of political affiliations.
While Trump’s first term faced significant pushback from numerous athletes, including LeBron James and Megan Rapinoe, there appears to be a shift in the sports world’s reaction during his second term. In February, Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl, receiving a warm welcome from several players, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
This evolving relationship between sports figures and political leadership continues to develop, with players navigating their personal beliefs while engaging with prominent political figures.
