The Philadelphia Eagles stirred controversy with their decision on whether to visit the White House and President Donald Trump after their Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since taking office in early 2017, Trump has been a divisive figure in the sports world, with several championship-winning teams opting to skip the traditional White House visit as a form of protest against his policies and political stance.
According to Steve Brenner of The U.S. Sun, the 2024-25 Eagles have now joined that list, choosing not to travel to the nation’s capital after securing the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
“A well-placed insider told The U.S. Sun that recent discussions between the players and the Eagles front office resulted in a ‘massive no’ when asked if they would accept an invitation to the nation’s capital,” Brenner wrote.
The website MediaBiasFactCheck.com rates The U.S. Sun as a politically “right-leaning” publication.
Eagles Refused Invitation to Trump White House Following 2017-18 Super Bowl Championship
The move mirrors the Eagles’ earlier decision to skip the White House visit after winning their first championship in the 2017-18 season, during Trump’s presidency.
At the time, Trump shared his thoughts on why he believed the team chose to forgo the long-standing tradition for the NFL’s champions.
“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,” Trump wrote in a statement, per USA Today. “They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
In September 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the National Anthem to protest police brutality against Black individuals across the country. His actions sparked intense debate among NFL fans and players, with many joining him in similar protests in the months and years that followed.
Trump’s remarks about the Eagles nearly seven years ago were a direct reference to that movement.
Eagles May Face Similar Decision on White House Visit After Next Season
Ironically, Philadelphia may find itself facing the same decision next year, given how well the front office has constructed the team and its strong potential for another deep playoff run in the 2025-26 season.
Most of the team’s offensive starters will remain under contract, with the exception of offensive lineman Mekhi Becton. On the defensive side, key players such as Zack Baun, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Milton Williams could depart.
However, with a projected league-wide salary cap increase of $22-$26 million ahead of free agency, the Eagles are expected to see their 2025 cap space rise to roughly $35-$40 million.
Additionally, fans can anticipate Philadelphia restructuring contracts to free up immediate space, allowing the team to remain aggressive while its Super Bowl window remains open.
