Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley spent time with former US President Donald Trump, golfing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ, the day before the team's White House visit to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory. Pictures showed them together, with “Make America Great Again” hats on the table. Barkley later defended his actions on social media, emphasizing respect for the office and mentioning a previous golf round with Barack Obama.
In contrast, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl LIX MVP, avoided answering a question about his attendance at the White House celebration. This ambiguity arose against the backdrop of the Eagles' 2018 experience, where the team declined a White House visit during Trump's first term, leading to a public feud.
The Eagles ultimately accepted the White House invitation this time. Team owner Jeffrey Lurie described the visit as a “time-honored tradition,” emphasizing its optional nature. He contrasted the situation with the 2018 incident, citing ‘special circumstances’ that made the earlier decision different. Lurie highlighted the team's cultural acceptance of optional participation in such events.