The Philadelphia Eagles have once again become the center of a heated debate following their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The burning question: Will they visit the White House?
A report from The U.S. Sun suggested the Eagles had already decided to skip the traditional visit. An anonymous team source claimed discussions about declining the invitation had taken place.
However, no official statement has been released to confirm or deny this claim.
Amid the swirling rumors, White House officials have stated that no formal invitation has been extended to the Eagles yet. Meanwhile, sources within the NFL suggest the team is preparing for the visit and awaiting official confirmation from the White House.
Adding to the speculation, former President Donald Trump, who attended this year’s Super Bowl, declared that the Eagles would be invited. He even instructed his staff to extend the invitation immediately, fueling further debate.
This isn’t the first time the Eagles have been caught in a White House controversy. After their Super Bowl LII victory in 2018, their visit was abruptly canceled.
Trump claimed the cancellation was due to the team’s disagreement with his stance on national anthem protests. However, reports later confirmed that no Eagles players had actually knelt during the anthem that season.
Instead of a traditional team visit, Trump hosted a patriotic event featuring the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus, framing it as a tribute to the nation and its military.
The friction between Trump and the Eagles dates back to his first term. The former president repeatedly criticized NFL players who protested racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.
Even though no Eagles players took part in those protests, the team still faced backlash from Trump and his supporters.
Before this year’s Super Bowl, Trump appeared to favor the Kansas City Chiefs. He congratulated the Chiefs on their AFC Championship win while noticeably omitting any mention of the Eagles.
In a pregame interview, he also predicted the Chiefs would win, citing quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ability to perform under pressure.
The Tradition of Championship Visits
The tradition of championship teams visiting the White House dates back to President Jimmy Carter. While most Super Bowl-winning teams have made the trip, the tradition has become increasingly controversial in recent years.
During Trump’s first term, several teams and athletes declined White House invitations. The Golden State Warriors were uninvited after Stephen Curry and his teammates expressed disinterest in attending.
Trump also targeted former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who ignited the anthem protest movement.
Earlier this month, the NHL’s Florida Panthers became the first championship team to visit Trump in his second term. However, there is no confirmation on whether the Eagles will follow suit.
The Philadelphia Eagles have yet to release an official statement regarding their White House visit. With conflicting reports and political tensions surrounding the issue, fans and analysts alike are eager for answers.
Will the Eagles accept the invitation and uphold the tradition, or will they make history by declining again? Until the team makes an official announcement, speculation will continue to run rampant.