Jalen Hurts and Eagles Team Skip White House Visit

Jalen Hurts, the star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, along with several teammates, chose not to attend a reception with US President Donald Trump at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. According to a White House official, Hurts and other players had "scheduling conflicts." The invitation was optional, and less than half of the team showed up on Monday.

The Super Bowl Victory

The Philadelphia Eagles secured their victory against the Kansas City Chiefs with a decisive 40-22 win in New Orleans this February. Despite Hurts' absence, President Trump praised the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player as a "terrific guy and terrific player." He also commended the Eagles as an "incredible team, an incredible group."

Players Who Did Not Attend

American broadcaster NBC reported that other notable players who did not attend the reception included AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Brandon Graham.

Historical Context

This is not the first time the Eagles have skipped a White House visit. In 2018, following their first Super Bowl victory, the visit was cancelled after most players decided to stay away. At the time, there was ongoing debate surrounding the kneeling protests that began in 2016, although the team never confirmed this was the reason for their absence. Trump, who was serving his first term as president at the time, was highly critical of players who took the knee during the national anthem. Instead, he invited a group of Eagles fans to attend.

Tradition and Statements

Sports teams visiting the White House after winning a championship is a tradition that dates back to the 19th Century. However, in recent decades, some teams have used this opportunity to make political statements. For example, the Golden State Warriors were disinvited by Trump following their NBA championship triumph in 2017, after two-time MVP Stephen Curry said he did not want to go. The Warriors were not invited when they won their third title in four seasons a year later.

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