The Eagles have not rejected an invite to President Donald Trump’s White House, according to a new report.
The Super Bowl champions did not visit President Trump after previously winning the championship in 2018 – during his first term – and The US Sun reported earlier this month that they would be skipping out on the honor this time around too. That report began to spread around social media over the weekend.
However, according to a White House source who spoke with Outkick founder Clay Travis, the Eagles have not rejected a trip to Washington – with the White House reportedly yet to even send an official invite yet.
While the Eagles’ last scheduled visit to the White House was technically canceled by the Trump administration, the move came after Philadelphia were hesitant to visit the President, who had criticized players protesting during the national anthem.
At a 2017 rally, Trump said that the protests were ‘hurting the game,’ and said NFL owners should fire players who did so.
Malcolm Jenkins, then of the Eagles, was among the NFL players at the time to protest, as he would raise his fist during the anthem. Rodney McLeod did the same.
Jalen Hurts and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni are seen lifting the Lombardi Trophy
The Eagles did not visit President Trump in 2018 – the last time they won the Super Bowl
Ultimately, the Eagles had decided on sending a small group of less than 10 players – as NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported at the time – before the White House canceled the visit.
‘The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree 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,’ a statement from President Trump read.
‘The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony — one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.’
In a story last updated on February 9 – the day that the Eagles beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX – the US Sun reported that conversations about refusing a White House visit had already occurred.
The report quoted a member of the ownership group as saying ‘we wouldn’t go to the White House’ if the Eagles won.
A year prior to the Eagles’ Super Bowl win in 2018 – and subsequent absence from the White House – Trump also rescinded his invite to the NBA-champion Warriors.
Golden State star Stephen Curry had said he didn’t want to go, though before the Warriors came to a decision as a team, Trump made his stance towards the franchise clear.
The Chiefs visited the White House and President Joe Biden two times in as many years
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is seen with President Trump at the White House in 2017
‘Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,’ he wrote on social media. ‘Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!
The Warriors later said they would ‘celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion – the values that we embrace as an organization’ when visiting DC the following year.
In 2017, the Patriots did visit the White House and Trump after their historic comeback win over the Falcons (they did not go after winning again in 2019), while the Chiefs were unable to visit in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
The Buccaneers visited President Biden’s White House the following year, while the Rams did not make the trip after beating the Bengals in the Super Bowl in 2022.
The Chiefs visited Biden in consecutive years after their repeat wins in 2023 and 2024.
