Jalen Hurts Skips Eagles’ White House Celebration: What This Means for the Super Bowl Champions

Donald Trump welcomed the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House, but some players, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, chose not to attend. They cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for their absence, according to a White House official.

Despite Hurts not being present, Trump praised him as a “terrific player” who performed exceptionally during the Eagles’ championship run. He also spoke highly of the team as a whole, calling them an “incredible group.”

In April, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasized that attending such events is optional for players. “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,” he said.

Several players, including AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, also skipped the White House event. This is not the first time the Eagles faced challenges related to team celebrations at the White House. In 2018, their visit was canceled after some players indicated they would not attend, largely due to political tensions surrounding the national anthem protests. Trump had publicly criticized players who knelt during the anthem to protest racial inequality.

Recently, Hurts seemed uncertain when a reporter asked about attending the White House visit, responding with a long pause before walking away. In contrast, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley met Trump at his golf club and flew to Washington on Air Force One. Trump commented positively on Barkley’s experience, calling him a “great young guy.” Barkley later defended his actions on social media, stating, “Maybe I just respect the office.”

In previous years, many athletes have openly criticized Trump, including LeBron James and Megan Rapinoe. Interestingly, during Trump’s second term, there appears to be less resistance from the sports world. In February, he attended the Super Bowl as the first sitting president to do so, receiving a warm reception from players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Traditionally, championship-winning teams are invited to the White House. However, Trump’s presidency saw several teams, such as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and the U.S. Women’s National Team, decline invitations amid political disputes.

As we look at the evolving relationship between sports and politics, it’s clear that these events reflect broader societal issues. A 2022 survey showed that 75% of American athletes believed political engagement was essential in their roles. This indicates a shift in how athletes view their influence beyond the field.

For continued discussions on this topic, relevant articles include [Charles Barkley’s recent comments on athletes shunning the White House celebrations](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/06/charles-barkley-calls-athletes-who-wont-visit-trumps-white-house-stupid-i-disagree).

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