February 24, 2025
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The Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9. During the team’s championship parade in Philadelphia on Feb. 14, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sent a strong message to their fans.

 

“It’s an honor to truly lead this city,” Hurts told Fox 29. “To play the role that I play. I know a lot of people do a lot to watch us come play on Sundays, and we leave it all out there on the field. It’s just a moment to celebrate.”

 

Following the parade, it’s a tradition for Super Bowl champions to visit the White House. Leading up to the big game in New Orleans, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was asked about visiting President Donald Trump should they defeat the Chiefs. Lurie deflected and said, “I just want to win Sunday.”

 

On Feb. 23, The U.S. Sun reported that the Eagles made the decision to skip the White House visit this year.

 

“A source at the Eagles, who spoke anonymously, stressed that conversations about refusing a visit with President Donald Trump after beating the Kansas City Chiefs have already occurred,” the outlet reported.

 

“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.

 

‘We focus on the game for now, but if we win the Super Bowl, we wouldn’t go to the White House,'” a member of the ownership group said a few weeks ago.

 

“A current player echoed those sentiments, claiming that ‘pretty much everyone’ decided they would refuse to meet the President.”

 

An Eagle star told the outlet, “We represent a city and a state that is pushing for equal rights, respect and values that respect every human being. We won’t forget what happened and the criticism we received for taking a stand against racism, and we won’t back down from our values of respect, integrity and equality.”

 

Philadelphia declined to visit the White House during Trump’s first term after winning the Super Bowl in February 2018. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter in June 2018, “A large group of Eagles players had decided not to attend, including most — if not all — of the black players. … In fact, five or fewer Eagles players committed to attend the White House ceremony.”

 

Trump tweeted on June 4, 2018, “The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!”