The Philadelphia Eagles famously skipped their White House visit after winning Super Bowl LII in 2018, but history could play out differently this time.
After securing victory in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team might make an appearance at Donald Trump’s White House in the coming months.
Team Captain Weighs In
Eagles’ team captain and right tackle Lane Johnson addressed the possibility, leaving the decision up to the team as a whole.
“I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see,” Johnson told Sportico.
“It’s ultimately a team decision. I’ll do what’s best for the team.”
The President’s Expensive Game Day Trip
Trump was in attendance for Sunday’s championship game in New Orleans but didn’t stay until the end.
He left early, flying back to Palm Beach, Florida, in a trip that reportedly cost taxpayers between $8 million and $20 million.
Trump’s Complicated History with the NFL
Trump’s relationship with the NFL has been rocky for decades.
Back in the 1980s, as the owner of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, he unsuccessfully sued the NFL in a failed bid to merge the two leagues.
According to author Jeff Pearlman’s book Football for a Buck, former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle even told Trump he would never be granted an NFL franchise.
More recently, Trump attempted to buy the Buffalo Bills before being outbid.
And after becoming president in 2016, he openly criticized players who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality—despite reports that he once remained seated for the anthem when he owned a USFL team.
The 2018 White House Snub
Back in 2018, Trump rescinded the Eagles’ White House invitation amid speculation that several players were planning to boycott.
He announced the cancellation via Twitter, stating that only a small number of players had planned to attend.
Trump also linked the decision to his ongoing criticism of anthem protests, calling out players who stayed in the locker room instead of standing on the field.
“Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling,” he tweeted at the time. “Sorry!”
What’s Different This Time?
Only a handful of Eagles players from that 2018 Super Bowl-winning squad remain on the team, including Johnson, defensive end Brandon Graham, kicker Jake Elliott, and long snapper Rick Lovato.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie remained noncommittal when asked before Sunday’s game whether his team would visit the White House if they won.
“I just want to win Sunday,” Lurie said, sidestepping the question.
Lurie has been known to support left-leaning politicians, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, but has also previously donated to Republicans like George W. Bush and Arlen Specter.
A leaked 2018 recording published by The New York Times captured Lurie speaking critically of Trump, calling his presidency a “disaster.”
Trump’s Silence on the Eagles’ Victory
Despite being active on social media, Trump has yet to publicly congratulate the Eagles on their Super Bowl win.
That’s in stark contrast to his praise for the Kansas City Chiefs after their AFC Championship victory.
He even took a moment to commend Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, on Truth Social.
“I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country,” Trump wrote before his electoral win over Kamala Harris in November.
A Rocky History with the Chiefs
Interestingly, Trump hasn’t always had smooth interactions with the Chiefs.
Following their Super Bowl LIV win against the San Francisco 49ers, he famously congratulated the team for representing “the Great State of Kansas.”
The problem? The Chiefs are based in Kansas City, Missouri—not Kansas City, Kansas, which is just across the border.
What Happens Next?
Will the Eagles accept a White House invitation if Trump extends one? That remains to be seen.
Given past tensions between the team and the former president, their decision could make headlines once again.
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