President Donald Trump hosted Tremendous Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles on the White Home on Monday, however a number of gamers – together with quarterback Jalen Hurts – skipped the celebration.
The Eagles declined a go to to the White Home after they gained in 2018 however attended the occasion this 12 months, following their 40-22 victory over Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
Hurts and different gamers cited scheduling conflicts as the explanations for his or her absences, in accordance with a White Home official who was not approved to remark publicly and spoke on situation of anonymity.
Trump known as Hurts a “terrific guy and terrific player” who turned in “one stellar performance after another” in serving to the Eagles to a 14-3 common season and their Tremendous Bowl run.
“The Eagles have turned out to be an incredible team, an incredible group,” Trump stated.
In his first time period, Trump invited after which cancelled a celebration for the Eagles, as a substitute throwing his personal transient “Celebration of America” after it grew to become clear most gamers weren’t going to point out up.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive sort out Lane Johnson, proper, and head coach Nick Sirianni, left, with President Donald Trump
Requested by a reporter on the purple carpet of the Time journal gala final week whether or not he would participate within the White Home go to, Hurts responded with a clumsy “um” and lengthy silence earlier than strolling away.
Eagles star working again Saquon Barkley visited Trump over the weekend at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership in Bedminster, New Jersey, and caught a journey with the president to Washington on Air Pressure One after which to the White Home on Marine One.
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The very best of the motion from Tremendous Bowl 59 because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
“He loved it,” Trump stated of Barkley’s quick flight on the presidential airplane. “He’s a great young guy and an incredible football player. Saquon had a season for the ages, running behind the most powerful offensive line in the NFL.
Barkley, meanwhile, pushed back on social media criticism earlier Monday for spending time with Trump. He noted that he has golfed with former President Barack Obama, a Democrat.
“Possibly I simply respect the workplace, not a tough idea to know,” Barkley posted on X.
Barkley ran away with the Offensive Participant of the Yr award this previous season after speeding for two,005 yards, eighth-best in NFL historical past. It was his first season with the Eagles.
Trump attended the Eagles’ decisive Tremendous Bowl victory in New Orleans over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. He predicted forward of the sport the Chiefs would win and provided lavish reward for his or her quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Eagles proprietor Jeffrey Lurie stated concerning the go to: “Today, the Eagles were honoured to participate in the long-standing tradition of visiting the White House to celebrate our victory in Super Bowl LIX.
“We’re grateful for the hospitality we had been prolonged and recognize the chance to rejoice this particular crew alongside a whole bunch of followers that joined us on the South Garden.”
