On April 28, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles visited the White House to commemorate their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the celebration was marked by the absence of several key players, most notably Super Bowl MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts, who, along with others, cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for missing the event.
Despite Hurts’ absence, President Donald Trump praised the quarterback’s performance during the Eagles’ championship run, calling him a “terrific guy and terrific player” who delivered “one stellar performance after another.”
The Eagles’ visit to the White House was optional, and less than half the team attended the ceremony. Notable attendees included running back Saquon Barkley, who had a standout season with 2,005 rushing yards and was named Offensive Player of the Year. Barkley joined President Trump over the weekend for a round of golf and traveled with him on Air Force One to Washington.
The event marked a contrast to 2018 when President Trump canceled a similar celebration after many Eagles players declined to attend. This time, the ceremony proceeded with speeches from team representatives, including head coach Nick Sirianni and owner Jeffrey Lurie, who highlighted the team’s core values of sacrifice, selflessness, and discipline.
While the official reason for Hurts’ absence was a scheduling conflict, his nonattendance sparked discussions and speculation about potential political motivations. Hurts had previously been noncommittal when asked about attending the White House event, responding with an “um” and a long pause before walking away.
The Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory was a significant achievement, with Hurts delivering an impressive performance by completing 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, along with 72 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. His efforts earned him the Super Bowl MVP title.
As the Eagles celebrated their championship at the White House, the absence of key players like Jalen Hurts highlighted the ongoing intersection of sports and politics. While the team was honored for their on-field accomplishments, the varying decisions of players to attend or skip the event underscored the personal choices athletes make regarding political events and affiliations.
