The Philadelphia Eagles’ visit to the White House on Monday to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs was expected to be a routine political meet-and-greet.
But while many players kept things low-key amid today’s politically charged climate, one player stirred up a storm on social media—and it had nothing to do with football.
Eli Ricks Has Eyes for Ivanka
Cornerback Eli Ricks made waves not for what he said at the White House—but for what he tweeted afterwards.
The 23-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) with a blunt declaration:
“Donald trump daughter is beautiful damn.”
And he didn’t stop there. Ricks followed it up with:
“After seeing her in person Ivanka is exactly my type.”
Needless to say, the internet responded quickly.
Social Media Reactions: From Cringe to Confidence
Fans had mixed feelings about Ricks’ bold comments. Some urged him to take it down a notch.
“Take a break dude,” one user replied.
Others added, “Chill out big bro,” and even joked that he might have “just got banned from the White House.”
But it wasn’t all backlash. Some fans saw the humor—and the boldness.
“This is the kinda confidence I wanna see in a defensive back,” one Eagles supporter wrote.
And in a playful nod to football strategy, another fan chimed in:
“You’ll never intercept the ball if you never jump a route.”
Ricks Doubles Down with Support for Trump
Ricks didn’t just show love for Ivanka. He also posted on Instagram with a nod to Donald Trump himself.
After stumbling upon artwork depicting a failed assassination attempt on the former president, Ricks posted a selfie, fist raised, mimicking the triumphant stance from the painting.
While Ricks’ account isn’t officially verified, the Eagles have previously tagged the same handle, @eliasricks, in team content—so it appears legit.
Who Skipped the White House Visit?
Though a good chunk of the team showed up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to mark their championship win, several notable names were missing.
Reports say quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, along with defensive standouts like Jalen Carter, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, and CJ Gardner-Johnson, all skipped the event.
NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor reported that their absences were chalked up to “scheduling conflicts.”
Whether that’s the full story or a diplomatic way of bowing out remains unclear.
What’s Next for Ricks?
Whether you found Ricks’ comments bold, inappropriate, or just plain funny, one thing’s for sure—he got people talking.
In today’s NFL, where players are navigating not only game day but also public image, Ricks seems to be embracing his own lane—whether it’s on the field or online.