Despite speculation that the Philadelphia Eagles might avoid the White House again following their Super Bowl LVII victory, President Donald Trump confirmed that he would extend an invitation to the team. This marks a significant moment after the Eagles chose not to visit the White House in 2018 after their first Super Bowl win, amid controversy over some players’ protests during the national anthem.
President Trump made it clear in his statement that the Eagles would indeed receive an invitation to celebrate their victory in Washington, D.C. “Absolutely, they’ll be invited,” Trump said, noting that he was impressed with the team’s performance. “We’ll do it right away, we’ll do it some time today.” The president also expressed his enthusiasm about their victory, which was a dominating 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, preventing the Chiefs from claiming their third consecutive championship.
In the days following the Super Bowl, Lane Johnson, a veteran offensive lineman for the Eagles, stated that the decision to attend the White House would be a team choice. Johnson was part of the 2018 Eagles team that saw their White House visit canceled after several players refused to attend due to their disagreements with President Trump’s views on players protesting during the national anthem. At the time, Trump had called out the players for their actions, stating that fans and military personnel who planned to attend deserved better.
Back then, Trump issued a statement saying, “The 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better,” referring to the players’ refusal to stand in respect for the flag. “They do not agree with the leader of the country because he suggests they proudly stand for America’s National Anthem, hand over heart, in honor of the great soliders of our military and the Americans of our country.”
In contrast, President Biden’s White House has seen fewer championship celebrations, with notable visits from teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and UConn men’s and LSU women’s basketball teams. However, teams such as the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets have all skipped the White House visit during Biden’s presidency, citing scheduling conflicts or team decisions.
It’s clear that sports and politics remain intertwined, and visits to the White House are an important symbol of national unity, especially for championship teams. With President Trump’s continued support for those who honor the national anthem and American traditions, the Eagles’ decision to attend this year’s White House ceremony will undoubtedly carry significant meaning for their fans and the nation as a whole.