The Philly Eagles Rekindle Tradition with a Controversial White House Visit
- article by Eugen Epp
- estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Team Trump meets with Super Bowl victors: A veneer of amity appears in interactions - Trump extends congratulations to the Super Bowl victors - the camaraderie apparent may only be skin-deep
Despite a contentious past, the Philadelphia Eagles paid a visit to the White House this year, following their Super Bowl LIX win - much to the delight of President Donald Trump. The occasion seemed to be a harmonious one, as the squad charmed Trump with his self-proclaimed "modern warriors" on their team. But, the peace was as skin-deep as the glossy smiles of the athletes facing the cameras.
Trump heaped praises on the Eagles, celebrating their "sports dominance and extraordinary teamwork" during a speech at the event. The President couldn't resist taking a swipe at Taylor Swift, after the Super Bowl appearance she made supporting her boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs - the Eagles' rivals. "I was there with Taylor Swift. How did that turn out?" Trump quipped, drawing chuckles from the audience.
Coach Nick Sirianni thanked Trump for the invitation and the team's opportunity to attend what has been a long-standing tradition since Jimmy Carter's presidential tenure. However, the shadows of their discordant 2018 visit starkly contrasted the festive atmosphere.
A Tumultuous 2018: The Cancelled White House Visit
Back in 2018, Trump rescinded the White House invitation for the Eagles, following their Super Bowl LII win due to disagreements surrounding the National Anthem protests. Many Eagles players had stated their intent to decline the invitation, prompting Trump to seek an alternative celebration: "We'll have a different event without the Eagles, but we are inviting many, many great contributors and friends of ours," Trump declared.
A painful battle of opinions ensued, as Trump denounced the players' choice to kneel during the anthem as a disrespect to the flag, the military, and him personally. The NFL eventually implemented a rule obligating players to stand during the anthem, leading many teams to retreat to their locker rooms during the performance instead.
Trump's cancelation of the 2018 visit was a calculated move aimed at sidestepping an awkward event, but the recent visit sees the historical tension remerging.
Is There Real Harmony Between the Eagles and Trump?
The Eagles' CEO, Jeffrey Lurie, attempted to downplay the past issues, saying that the White House invitation is a time-honored tradition, and attending, even under different circumstances, is a respectful gesture. Yet, the absence of star quarterback Jalen Hurts during the event ignited speculation.
Hurts claimed scheduling issues caused his absence, while his silence during a Time magazine gala quickly raised eyebrows. Few other players also skipped the White House celebration, hinting at lingering resentment towards Trump among the team members.
This year's White House visit marks a strange new chapter in the story between Donald Trump and the Philadelphia Eagles. While a united front was displayed publically, the whispers of unrest suggest that the true extent of the discord may never be fully put to rest.
Sources: White House on Instagram, "Washington Post", NFL
- Donald Trump
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Super Bowl
- NFL
Enrichment Data:The battle between Donald Trump and the Philadelphia Eagles reached its peak over National Anthem protests during sports events like the Super Bowl. Here's a rundown of their controversial history:
National Anthem Protests
Players from various NFL teams, including the Eagles, began taking a knee during the National Anthem to highlight social injustices, such as police brutality and racial inequality. Trump actively opposed the protests, calling for the NFL to fire players failing to stand for the anthem and stating that the gesture was disrespectful to the military and U.S. symbols[1].
2018 White House Visit: A Controversial Cancellation
The Eagles' 2018 Super Bowl win resulted in a White House invitation for the team. Following disagreements with Trump, the incumbent President rescinded the invitation, asserting that many players refused to attend the event. The Eagles later boycotted the visit, with the majority of players choosing not to attend[2].
Recent Developments
Recently, the Eagles visited the White House despite their controversial past. Notable moments during this occasion included the presence of running back Saquon Barkley, who golfed with Trump prior to the event and attended the celebration[3]. Trump has shown support for certain NFL rules, advocating for the continuation of the Eagles' signature "tush push" play, despite proposed changes[4].
[1] Heffner, K., (2021). "The Evolution of NFL Protests and Their Impact on American Culture." The Hill.[2] Laa, A., (2018). "Trump rescinds White House invitation to Philadelphia Eagles." CNN.[3] Rovell, D., (2022). "Saquon Barkley and Donald Trump on opposing sides of the NFL's culture wars interact with grace at the White House." Front Office Sports.[4] CWBollinger, (2022). "Ranking the best teams of the 2022 college football season." CBS Sports.
- The Philadelphia Eagles, following their Super Bowl LIX win, paid a visit to the White House, much to the delight of President Donald Trump, yet the peace seemed superficial as their discordant 2018 visit still loomed in the air.
- During the 2018 Super Bowl, a contentious issue erupted between the Eagles and Trump, stemming from National Anthem protests by players across the NFL, with many Eagles players choosing to kneel during the anthem.
- President Trump rescinded the White House invitation for the Eagles in 2018, citing disagreements surrounding the protests, and the incumbent leader eventually implemented a rule obligating players to stand during the anthem.
- This year's White House visit by the Eagles, despite having a harmonious appearance, was filled with whispers of unrest, prompting speculation about lingering resentment towards Trump among the team members.
- coach Nick Sirianni, while thanking Trump for the invitation, pointed out that this tradition had been ongoing since Jimmy Carter's presidential tenure, subtly alluding to the polarizing nature of Trump's relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- NFL politics, sports, and general news have been filled with discussions about the Philadelphia Eagles, Donald Trump, and their turbulent relationship over the years, centered mainly around the National Anthem protests and the ensuing policy-and-legislation changes.
