Maybe the
Eagles will be going to the White House after all. That's because on Monday, the NFL Network reported, citing team sources, that the Super Bowl champion Eagles "would be honored to visit The White House" after conversations Monday. The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo then added: "Individual players can, and have (see: 2018), make their own decisions about whether to attend. But any report about the
#Eagles ’ organization declining an invite is not accurate." It's still a question of whether the Eagles will receive an invitation. According to a report Feb. 9 in The U.S. Sun that was shared on social media sites Sunday, the Eagles decided to skip the White House visit.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "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. The U.S. Sun said the response was a massive no. However, there’s no official word on whether that’s happening or not. According to reports, a White House official said an invitation to the White House hasn't been extended to the Eagles. Trump and the Eagles have a history dating back to the Birds' first Super Bowl victory.
Why 2017 Super Bowl champion Eagles didn't visit Trump at the White House
Despite an upset victory over the
New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, the Eagles' visit to the White House was canceled. The Eagles were scheduled to visit the White House on June 5 of that year, but players and staff members had conversations among themselves regarding how to handle the visit,
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
Several Eagles players said at the time they would not attend the ceremony at the White House because of Trump's comments against players protesting social injustices during the national anthem, either by kneeling or raising their fists. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to send a smaller contingent of fewer than 10 players, including Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, while other players were going to have an optional day at the team facility, Garafolo reported.
NFC Championship diss by President Trump
In a post on his Truth Social, the president congratulated the
Kansas City Chiefs after the team's 32-29 over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game. Trump also praised the Bills on a “tremendous season.” However, Trump didn't mention the Eagles in the post or any other social media messages after a 55-23 drubbing of the
Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game.
President Trump picked the Chiefs to win Super Bowl
In a pregame interview with FOX News' Bret Baier, Trump picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. He went with the Chiefs because of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Trump said he hated to pick a winner. But without naming Mahomes, he said after seeing him win as many games as he has, Trump had to pick Kansas City. “The quarterback really knows how to win,” Trump said. “He’s a great, great quarterback.”
Bart Jansen contributed to this story.
