The city of Philadelphia is gearing up to celebrate the Eagles’ Super Bowl triumph with a championship parade scheduled for this week. However, one lingering question remains—will the team accept a potential invitation to the White House?
Chiefs were defeated 22-40 by Eagles denying them their historic three peat.
Eagles captain and right tackle Lane Johnson addressed the topic, stating that the decision would ultimately be determined by a team vote.
“I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see. It’s ultimately a team decision. I’ll do what’s best for the team,” Johnson said.
Johnson is one of four players on the current roster who were part of the 2018 Eagles team that won the franchise’s first Super Bowl. That team never made the customary White House visit, as then-President Donald Trump rescinded the invitation after multiple players declined to attend. The decision followed Trump’s criticism of NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.
Revisiting a Familiar Situation
Seven years later, the Eagles find themselves in a similar scenario. Defensive end Josh Sweat acknowledged the significance of a potential White House visit but emphasized his focus on the upcoming championship parade.
“It’s a great honor, but I’m looking forward to this (championship) parade more than anything,” Sweat said.
Trump Becomes First Sitting President to Attend Super Bowl
Sunday’s Super Bowl saw former President Donald Trump become the first sitting U.S. president to attend the event. While he did not publicly declare support for either team during the lopsided contest, he had previously predicted a Chiefs victory in a pre-recorded interview aired on FOX. Trump has expressed admiration for Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and praised Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, as a “MAGA” fan.
Trump briefly met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the game and also acknowledged the Eagles as a “fantastic team.” He left the stadium early as Philadelphia cruised to its second championship.
Will the Eagles Receive an Invite?
While the Eagles may have the opportunity to visit the White House for the first time, it is unclear whether an invitation will be extended. Trump has a history of withdrawing invitations, as seen in 2017 when he rescinded an offer to NBA star Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors after sensing reluctance from the team.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie sidestepped questions about a White House visit when speaking to reporters earlier this week. Head coach Nick Sirianni suggested that it was too soon to determine how things would unfold in the coming months.
Players Open to White House Visit
Several Eagles players remained noncommittal yet receptive to the idea of a White House visit. Linebacker Zack Baun expressed enthusiasm for any opportunity to celebrate the team’s success.
“I feel like it’s something that the teams have always done,” Baun said. “I’m excited for any opportunity to celebrate this win.”
As the Eagles prepare to bask in their championship celebrations, the decision on whether to make the traditional trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue remains up in the air.