Breaking News:Trump Celebrates Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles at White House, but Jalen Hurts and Key Players Skip Ceremony..see more details below 👇

Breaking News:Trump Celebrates Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles at White House, but Jalen Hurts and Key Players Skip Ceremony..see more details below 👇

On Monday, April 28, 2025, President Donald Trump welcomed the 2025 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House to celebrate their decisive 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. The event, held on the South Lawn, marked a return to the traditional championship visit for the Eagles, their first since 2018 when plans were canceled amid political tensions. However, the ceremony was notably absent superstar quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, along with several other prominent players, highlighting a complex interplay of sports, politics, and personal choice.

A Grand Celebration with Notable Absences
The White House ceremony was a festive affair, with President Trump shaking hands with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who presented him with a team jersey. Trump praised the Eagles, calling them “an incredible team, an incredible group” for their 14-3 regular season and dominant playoff run. He specifically highlighted the team’s offensive prowess, led by star running back Saquon Barkley, who earned the 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after rushing for 2,005 yards, the eighth-best single-season total in NFL history.

Despite the celebratory tone, the absence of Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ quarterback and a key figure in their Super Bowl triumph, drew significant attention. Hurts, a Houston native and one of the NFL’s rising stars, was joined by other notable players, including wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, defensive linemen Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, and veteran Brandon Graham, in skipping the event. A White House official, speaking anonymously, cited “scheduling conflicts” as the reason for their absences.

Trump, undeterred by the absences, spoke glowingly of Hurts, calling him a “terrific guy and terrific player” who delivered “one stellar performance after another.” However, Hurts’ decision to forego the ceremony sparked speculation, given his silence on the matter. When asked about his attendance at the Time100 Gala in New York on April 24, Hurts responded with an awkward pause and walked away, offering no explanation.

A History of Tension: The Eagles and Trump’s White House
The 2025 visit was the Eagles’ first White House appearance since their 2018 Super Bowl LII victory, which ended in controversy. That year, Trump rescinded the team’s invitation after it became clear that only a small contingent of players planned to attend, citing disagreements over Trump’s stance on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. Trump had called for players who knelt to be “fired” and suggested they were disrespecting the flag, prompting widespread backlash. Instead of hosting the Eagles, Trump held a brief “Celebration of America” event.

The 2018 cancellation left a lasting mark, and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie addressed the context of the 2025 visit during an April 1 news conference. “To be celebrated at the White House is a good thing,” Lurie said, noting that the circumstances in 2018 were “very different.” He emphasized that attendance was optional, reflecting the team’s culture: “If you want to enjoy this, come along and we’ll have a great time, and if you don’t, it’s totally an optional thing.”

For many players, the decision to attend or skip the 2025 ceremony appeared fraught with political undertones. Philadelphia, a city where Trump lost by wide margins in his presidential bids, has a fanbase that often aligns against him politically. MSNBC noted that players faced a “no-win situation”: attending risked backlash from fans critical of Trump, while skipping could invite the president’s ire on social media. Hurts, known for avoiding political statements, may have opted for silence to sidestep the controversy.

Saquon Barkley’s Presence and Pushback
In contrast to Hurts’ absence, running back Saquon Barkley was a prominent attendee, having spent the weekend with Trump at his National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Barkley, who flew to Washington with Trump on Air Force One and Marine One, was praised by the president as a “great young guy and an incredible football player.” Barkley stood near the podium during the ceremony, sharing a handshake with Trump, who lauded his historic season.

Barkley’s decision to engage with Trump drew criticism from some fans, particularly after he clapped back at detractors on social media: “Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have an amazing day.” Barkley defended his actions, noting he had also golfed with former President Barack Obama and emphasizing his respect for the office of the presidency: “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand.” His presence underscored the divide among Eagles players, with over 40 team members, including Lane Johnson, Cooper DeJean, and coach Nick Sirianni, attending the event.

Political Context and Broader Implications
The Eagles’ 2025 White House visit reflects broader trends in the intersection of sports and politics during Trump’s presidency. During his first term, several championship teams, including the 2018 Golden State Warriors and the Eagles, either declined invitations or were disinvited amid political disagreements. Trump’s criticism of anthem protests and his polarizing rhetoric created a challenging environment for athletes navigating public appearances with him.

The 2025 ceremony, however, marked a partial return to tradition, with the Eagles joining recent visitors like the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Ohio State Buckeyes, who celebrated their CFP national championship. Trump’s attendance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, where he incorrectly predicted a Chiefs victory, added a personal touch to the Eagles’ visit. He even referenced pop star Taylor Swift, who was booed by some fans at the game for endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, joking, “I watched in person, I was there along with Taylor Swift. How did that work out?”

Fan and Media Reactions
The ceremony generated significant buzz on social media and in the press. Posts on X highlighted Hurts’ absence, with some framing it as a deliberate snub, while others noted the “scheduling conflict” explanation. Local Philadelphia outlet 6abc reported on the event, emphasizing both the celebration and the absences, while national outlets like the Associated Press and Yahoo Sports provided detailed recaps. The Houston Chronicle noted Hurts’ Houston roots, underscoring the disappointment for fans hoping to see their hometown hero at the White House.

Critics, including some Philadelphia fans, expressed frustration over the politicization of the visit. MSNBC’s analysis captured the sentiment: “These are times when many fans want their favorite players to reflect their political views or may even pick their favorites based on their perceived political views.” Hurts’ decision to stay silent, contrasted with Barkley’s outspoken defense, illustrated the varied approaches players took to navigate the event.

Looking Forward
The Eagles’ 2025 White House visit underscores the enduring tension between sports and politics, particularly in the context of Trump’s presidency. For Jalen Hurts, whose only public political comment was praising Barack Obama as an “uncle figure” after a golf outing, skipping the ceremony may reflect a desire to avoid the political spotlight. His absence, alongside other key players, suggests that the White House visit, while a prestigious tradition, remains a personal choice shaped by individual values and public pressures.

As the NFL season fades and the Eagles bask in their championship glory, the focus will likely shift back to the field. For now, the 2025 White House ceremony serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play when sports, politics, and personal convictions intersect. The Eagles, as Trump noted, are indeed an “incredible team”—but their story, like the ceremony itself, is one of both unity and division.