NEW ORLEANS – The Philadelphia Eagles will honor their Super Bowl victory in their city, with a parade to be scheduled for this week. But it remains to be seen if the team will celebrate with President Donald J. Trump at the White House at a later date.
Eagles captain and right tackle Lane Johnson says the decision to go to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue if offered will come down to a team vote. “I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see. It’s ultimately a team decision. I’ll do what’s best for the team.”
Johnson is one of four players on this year’s championship team who was on the 2018 squad that captured the franchise’s first Super Bowl title. The 2018 team never made a trip to the White House after Trump called off their visit after multiple players decided they wouldn’t go. The canceled invite during his first presidency came after Trump publicly criticized players who kneeled to protest racial injustice during the national anthem.
Seven years later, the Eagles are facing the situation again.
“It’s a great honor, but I’m looking forward to this (championship) parade more than anything,” Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat said after the game.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl on Sunday. He never publicly stated which team he was rooting for in the lopsided contest, but Trump predicted a Chiefs victory in a pre-recorded interview that aired on FOX. He previously has supported Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and gave him high praise on the broadcast while also acknowledging Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, as a “MAGA” fan.
Trump, who met briefly with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, also said the Eagles were a fantastic team. He left the game early as Philadelphia dominated its way to its second title. While the Eagles may decide to go to the White House for the first time, it remains unclear if an invite will be extended. The Eagles after all weren’t the first to have their invite rescinded. After sensing hesitancy, Trump also withdrew an offer to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors after they won their title in 2017.
Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie avoided answering the White House visit question directly when speaking with reporters earlier this week. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni insinuated after the Super Bowl it was too early to know how things will transpire from now until later this year when a decision will be made. Most of the players made available postgame were coy yet open to the idea of a White House visit when asked.
“I feel like it’s something that the teams have always done,” Eagles linebacker Zack Baun said. “I’m excited for any opportunity to celebrate this win.”
