US Football: Stars Snub Trump Invitation
Eagles’ White House Visit Marred by Absences, Barkley’s Golf outing with Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory celebration at the White House on Monday, April 28, 2025, was marked by notable absences, echoing a previous controversy. Unlike 2018, when then-President Donald Trump canceled the Eagles’ invitation due to anticipated low attendance after their first Super Bowl win, the reception for their second title proceeded, albeit with notable player absences.
nearly half the team declined the invitation, extended almost three months after the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 on Feb. 9. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP, was among those absent, citing a scheduling conflict.
Key Players Skip White House Visit
Hurts was not alone. Receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, along with defenders Zach Baun, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Jalen Carter, also did not make the trip to Washington, D.C., roughly 135 miles from Philadelphia. Team officials emphasized that attendance was optional.
Barkley’s Golf Game Sparks controversy
adding to the day’s narrative, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley faced criticism on social media after playing golf with Trump. Barkley addressed the controversy, stating, “Maybe I simply respect the function, which is not a difficult concept to understand.” He further added, “I played golf with Obama not so long ago.”
Trump Praises Eagles, “Tush Push” Play
during the reception, Trump expressed enthusiasm for the Eagles’ performance, particularly highlighting the “Tush Push,” a controversial play involving pushing the quarterback forward.”I hope they will keep this game. I like it. It’s a bit exciting and different,” Trump said. He lauded the Eagles as “an incredible team and group” and praised Hurts as “a guy and a great player.”
Eagles’ White House Visit Marred by Absences, Barkley’s golf outing with Trump
Welcome to a breakdown of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory party at the White House on April 28, 2025. Let’s dive into the details, covering player absences and the controversial events surrounding the visit.
what Happened at the Eagles’ 2025 White House Visit?
The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, were invited to the white House to celebrate their win. However, the event was marked by several key absences and a bit of controversy.
key Players Who Skipped the White House Visit
Jalen Hurts: The star quarterback and Super Bowl MVP cited a “scheduling conflict” as the reason for his absence.
A.J. Brown: Star receiver.
DeVonta smith: Another key receiver.
Zach Baun: A defensive player.
Brandon Graham: A defensive player.
Josh Sweat: A defensive player.
* Jalen Carter: A defensive player.
Notably, team officials emphasized that attending the White House visit was optional for the players.
Why Were So Many Eagles Players Absent?
While the exact reasons varied, the primary reason cited by players, like Jalen Hurts, was scheduling conflicts. Many players likely had pre-arranged commitments or chose to prioritize other activities.
Saquon Barkley’s Golf Outing: What’s the Controversy?
eagles running back Saquon Barkley generated some chatter on social media by playing golf with former President Donald Trump. This led to criticism from some corners.
How Did Saquon Barkley Respond to the Criticism?
barkley addressed the controversy by stating that he was simply showing respect for the event. He added that he had also played golf with former President Obama, implying that the situation was not politically charged on his part.
What Did Donald trump Say About the Eagles at the White House?
During the White House reception, Trump expressed enthusiasm for the Eagles. He particularly praised the team’s performance and highlighted the “Tush Push,” a controversial play.
What is the “Tush Push” play?
The “Tush Push,” also known as a quarterback sneak, is a play where the quarterback attempts to gain yardage by being pushed forward by teammates. It’s a controversial strategy because it’s often triumphant but seemingly breaks the visual structure of the sport.
What was different about this White House visit compared to the Eagles’ previous Super bowl win?
In 2018, after the Eagles won their first Super Bowl, President Trump canceled the team’s White House visit due to anticipated low attendance. In 2025, the visit proceeded, although with a notable number of player absences for varied reasons.
Summary of Key Events
Here is a table summarizing the key events of the Philadelphia Eagles’ White House visit:
| Event | Details |
| ————————————- | —————————————————————————————————— |
| Date | Monday, April 28, 2025 |
| Occasion | Philadelphia eagles’ Super Bowl Victory Celebration |
| Location | White House, Washington, D.C. |
| Notable Absences | Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, devonta Smith, and others |
| Reason for Absences | Scheduling conflicts (most cited) |
| Controversy | Saquon Barkley’s golf outing with Donald Trump |
| Trump’s Comments | Praised the Eagles, highlighted the “Tush Push,” and praised Hurts as “a guy and a great player.” |
| Team’s Response | Team officials emphasized that attendance at the White House visit was optional for players. |
