The 12 Eagles Who Skipped The White House: Inside The Controversial 2025 Super Bowl LIX Visit
The Philadelphia Eagles’ White House visit on Monday, April 28, 2025, following their dominant Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, was a celebration quickly overshadowed by significant absences and political tension. This event, intended to honor the team's second championship in less than a decade, instead reignited the debate over professional sports and presidential politics, recalling the controversy of their canceled 2018 visit.
The highly-anticipated ceremony, hosted by President Donald Trump, saw a large contingent of the organization attend. However, the decision by Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts and more than a dozen other key players to skip the trip due to "scheduling conflicts" became the central narrative, turning a moment of national recognition into a complex political statement and a major talking point across the NFL.
The 2025 Super Bowl LIX Victory and White House Ceremony
The Philadelphia Eagles secured their Super Bowl LIX title on February 9, 2025, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII with a commanding 40-22 score. The victory, which cemented the Eagles as a modern NFL dynasty, set the stage for the traditional White House invitation. The visit was scheduled for April 28, 2025, just over two months after their triumph.
The day began with a solemn and unifying trip to Arlington National Cemetery, where Eagles ownership and staff paid tribute to the nation’s fallen. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, General Manager Howie Roseman, and coaches like Jemal Singleton and Tyler Steen participated in a wreath-laying ceremony, emphasizing the organization's commitment to honoring service members. This initial stop was widely praised as a non-political gesture of respect.
The main ceremony on the White House South Lawn, however, quickly shifted focus. President Donald Trump welcomed the team, praising their performance and their victory over the Chiefs. The event was a traditional affair, featuring a presidential address, the presentation of a team jersey, and cheers from the attending players and staff. Yet, the palpable absence of the team's biggest stars made the political undertones of the visit impossible to ignore.
The List of Notable Absences and 'Scheduling Conflicts'
The most significant news from the celebration was the list of star players who chose not to attend the White House ceremony. While the White House cited "scheduling conflicts" as the official reason for the absences, the sheer number of high-profile players who opted out suggested a coordinated decision rooted in personal or political beliefs.
Super Bowl LIX MVP and franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts led the list of non-attendees. His absence was particularly scrutinized, given his status as the face of the team. Hurts later doubled down on his decision, stating he "wasn't available" on the scheduled date, maintaining the official line.
The following is a list of prominent Philadelphia Eagles players who reportedly skipped the White House visit with President Trump:
- Jalen Hurts (QB): Super Bowl LIX MVP and franchise cornerstone.
- A.J. Brown (WR): One of the team's top receiving threats.
- DeVonta Smith (WR): Dynamic wide receiver and key offensive piece.
- Brandon Graham (DE): A veteran leader and Super Bowl LII champion.
- Jalen Carter (DT): Star defensive tackle and foundational player.
- Jordan Davis (DT): Massive interior defensive force.
- Nolan Smith (LB): Promising young pass rusher.
- Zack Baun (LB): Linebacker who contributed to the defense.
- Nakobe Dean (LB): Key young linebacker.
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S): Defensive back (likely the 'C.J.' mentioned in reports).
- Jason Kelce (C): While not explicitly listed as a "skipper" in all reports, the veteran center's previous outspokenness made his attendance a major talking point.
- Lane Johnson (OT): A key veteran on the offensive line.
The decision by over a dozen players, including the team’s core offensive and defensive stars, demonstrated a clear division within the team regarding the political nature of the invitation. The "scheduling conflict" explanation, while official, was widely interpreted by media and fans alike as a quiet protest against the administration, similar to actions taken by other championship teams in recent years.
Who Attended the Celebration?
Despite the high-profile absences, a significant portion of the Eagles organization and roster attended the White House ceremony, choosing to focus on the honor of the Super Bowl title rather than the political environment. Their attendance underscored the view that a White House visit is a non-partisan tradition celebrating a major athletic achievement.
Key players and personnel who were present included:
- Running Backs: Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley. Barkley’s presence, as a major offseason acquisition, was notable.
- Tight Ends: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and C.J. (likely C.J. Uzomah or another tight end).
- Offensive Line: A large contingent of the offensive line, known for their strong camaraderie, was present.
- Coaching Staff & Management: Head Coach Nick Sirianni, General Manager Howie Roseman, and owner Jeffrey Lurie were all in attendance, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to the tradition.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni, when questioned about the political atmosphere, reportedly downplayed the politics, stating that the visit was about celebrating the team's accomplishment and the opportunity to be honored at the nation's capital, a sentiment shared by the players who attended.
The Echoes of 2018: A Controversial History
The 2025 visit cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the ghost of the 2018 White House controversy following the Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory. In 2018, the team's planned trip to the White House was abruptly canceled by President Trump after it became clear that a large number of players intended to skip the event over disagreements concerning the national anthem protests.
The 2018 cancellation was a highly public and acrimonious event, with the White House and the team trading accusations. This history made the 2025 invitation a flashpoint from the moment the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX. The decision by Jalen Hurts and other stars to skip the 2025 event, even with an official "scheduling conflict" excuse, is widely seen as a continuation of the political stand taken by the 2018 team members.
The 2025 celebration, therefore, served as a symbolic moment. It was a successful visit, avoiding a full cancellation, but the large number of no-shows created a new kind of tension—a quiet, yet powerful, statement of dissent. It confirmed that the tradition of championship teams visiting the White House remains deeply intertwined with the nation's political landscape, forcing players and organizations to navigate a complex intersection of sports, politics, and personal conscience.
The Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LIX celebration at the White House will be remembered not just for the honor bestowed upon the champions, but for the powerful, silent protest of its most prominent stars, ensuring the debate over the intersection of sports and politics remains a central theme in American discourse.
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