The Eagles’ White House Visits: A Tale Of Two Super Bowls, Jalen Hurts’ Absence, And Saquon Barkley’s Golf Trip

The Philadelphia Eagles’ relationship with the White House is arguably the most politically charged and historically complex in modern professional sports, a saga that culminated in two dramatically different post-Super Bowl ceremonies. Most recently, the Eagles celebrated their Super Bowl LIX victory on Monday, April 28, 2025, but the event was immediately overshadowed by the notable absence of key players, echoing the political tensions that completely derailed their previous attempt at a White House celebration in 2018. The latest visit, hosted by President Donald Trump, was a highly selective affair, with less than half the team in attendance, turning the traditional championship honor into a focal point for the ongoing debate about sports and politics. The 2025 ceremony, marking the Eagles’ second Super Bowl victory, was a study in contrasts, highlighting the team’s internal dynamics and the polarized political landscape of Washington D.C. The most sensational headline was the decision of MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts to skip the event, a move that drew massive media attention and speculation. Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley became the unexpected political star of the day, having spent the previous Sunday golfing with the President and flying back to D.C. on Air Force One.

The Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LIX White House Visit: A 2025 Chronicle

The Eagles’ journey to their second franchise championship culminated in a decisive 40–22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, a rematch of the Super Bowl LVII contest two years prior. The win on February 9, 2025, led to the traditional invitation to the White House, which the team accepted, setting the stage for the April 28, 2025, visit. The ceremony itself was a highly anticipated event, not just for the celebratory nature, but because of the team's complicated history with the executive mansion. The attendance was voluntary, a policy decision that has become standard for championship teams in recent years. This optional attendance led to a significant split, with only about 20 of the 53 players from the championship roster choosing to attend the event.

The Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley Divide

The most talked-about aspect of the 2025 visit was the attendance, or lack thereof, of the team's biggest stars.

Jalen Hurts' Conspicuous Absence

MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts was the most prominent player to skip the White House ceremony. Hurts, who led the Eagles to their Super Bowl LIX victory, was confirmed by a White House official to be absent hours before the event. His decision to forgo the visit was a quiet yet powerful statement, aligning with other athletes who have chosen to avoid the political spotlight of the White House. Interestingly, Hurts was later seen attending the 2025 Met Gala, an event that occurred shortly after the White House ceremony, further fueling media discussion about his priorities and political stance.

Saquon Barkley's High-Profile Attendance

In stark contrast, running back Saquon Barkley embraced the visit, becoming the face of the Eagles' attendance. The day before the ceremony, Barkley spent time with President Donald Trump, golfing at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and then flying back to Washington D.C. on Air Force One. This move drew immediate criticism and debate across social media platforms. Barkley, a key offseason acquisition for the Eagles, addressed the criticism directly, defending his personal decision to attend and stating his focus remained on football. During his speech at the White House, President Trump singled out Barkley for praise, highlighting his support and attendance.

A Look Back: The Canceled 2018 Super Bowl LII Visit

To fully understand the significance of the 2025 visit, one must look back at the highly contentious events of 2018 following the Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots. This historical context is critical to the Eagles-White House narrative.

The National Anthem Dispute and Disinvitation

The 2018 ceremony was scheduled to take place under then-President Donald Trump, but it never happened. The visit was abruptly canceled by the President just a day before the scheduled date. The reason for the cancellation was a highly publicized dispute over the national anthem. Leading up to the planned event, a number of Eagles players, including key figures, had decided to skip the visit due to disagreements with the administration's stance on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem as a form of social protest. The team's decision was reportedly made through a team vote, with many players choosing to snub the event. President Trump responded by preemptively canceling the invitation, stating that the team was not unified in its intention to attend and citing the dispute over standing for the anthem. This move ignited a massive political firestorm, with the White House releasing a statement to further explain the decision to cancel the Super Bowl LII celebration visit.

Comparing the Two Controversies: LII vs. LIX

The two post-Super Bowl events for the Philadelphia Eagles—Super Bowl LII in 2018 and Super Bowl LIX in 2025—offer a fascinating comparative study of the intersection of professional sports, politics, and celebrity culture.

The Shift from Disinvitation to Selective Attendance

The 2018 event was defined by a political confrontation that resulted in a complete *cancellation*. The team, as a whole, was disinvited due to the perceived lack of respect for the national anthem and the President's office. This created a clear, unified controversy focused on a national political issue. The 2025 event, by contrast, was defined by *selective attendance* and individual player choice. While the political undercurrent remained, the controversy shifted from a team-vs-President standoff to a player-vs-player and player-vs-fan debate. The focus was less on a single national policy (like the anthem) and more on the personal decisions of star players like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. This shift reflects a broader trend where individual athletes now wield significant social and political influence, making personal choices about White House visits a major media story.

The Role of Key Figures

In 2018, players who planned to skip the event, like Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long, were seen as figures of protest. In 2025, Jalen Hurts' absence, while a form of protest for some, was also viewed as a personal choice that prioritized other high-profile engagements, such as the Met Gala. Conversely, Saquon Barkley's decision to attend, and his very public association with the President, put him in the center of a political debate about player alliances. The Eagles’ history with the White House, spanning two Super Bowl victories, serves as a powerful microcosm of American political and cultural divides. From the dramatic 2018 cancellation over the national anthem dispute to the highly selective and scrutinized 2025 visit, the team's celebrations have consistently transcended sports, cementing the Philadelphia Eagles as an enduring symbol in the ongoing public conversation about athlete activism and political engagement.