The Philadelphia Eagles have caused a stir by reportedly turning down an invitation to visit the White House after their Super Bowl win, sparking a furious backlash from MAGA supporters.
This comes after President Donald Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl game. Over the past few years, political tension surrounding the NFL has been high, with critics claiming the league has gone “woke” or tilted too far left. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has backed policies on diversity and inclusion, which Trump has openly opposed.
According to a report from the U.S. Sun, the Eagles declined Trump’s invitation. Team captain Lane Johnson had said it would be an honor to go, but the final decision was up to the team vote.
When asked about the White House invitation, the Eagles reportedly responded with a “massive no,” drawing anger from Trump’s supporters. Many fans lashed out, even threatening to stop supporting the team.
Back in 2018, the Eagles also skipped a White House visit after winning the Super Bowl, during Trump’s presidency. Trump said the team wasn’t invited because some players had knelt during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. At the time, only two Eagles players planned to attend, while the rest didn’t want to go.
The anthem protests, started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016, became a key part of the Black Lives Matter movement, which speaks out against police violence.
Before the Super Bowl, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was asked how he felt about Trump attending the game. His simple response: “No ma’am.” Hurts also made history as the first NFL player to have an all-female management team, earning praise for that as well.
This was a stark contrast to Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, who called it an “honor” for Trump to attend the game.
Trump’s fans were furious after hearing the Eagles rejected his invitation.
Journalist Megyn Kelly tweeted, “GO F YOURSELVES EAGLES. My husband is a fan so I got onboard but F this BS.”
Another user wrote: “Eagles won’t visit The White House? Oh cool. Pull all their funding. Every dime. If the NFL hates America then America needs to start hating the NFL.”
Social media user Kentucky Girl on X: “The Philadelphia Eagles have rejected Trump’s invitation to the White House. You know what, I will never support that team again. F*** the Eagles.”
But not everyone was upset. Many people on social media applauded the Eagles for their decision to reject the invite.
One fan, Padrat, praised the Eagles: “BRAVO to the Philadelphia Eagles for declining Trump’s invitation to the White House. The eagle is a symbol of STRENGTH, POWER, FREEDOM, & WISDOM. These team members proudly held on to their self-respect & dignity!”
Sports journalist Chris Schaller added: “Trump openly rooted against the Eagles and didn’t congratulate them… the Eagles have every right not to do so.”
