Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
The first sign came in a tweet from Yamiche Alcindor, the NBC News reporter who said that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts would not make the visit to the White House, citing “scheduling conflicts.” This was hours after Saquon Barkley, the team’s star running back, was seen in a series of photos and video hanging out and golfing with President Trump the day before the team’s scheduled Monday visit.
Barkley, who up until that time had been viewed as one of the most highly regarded members of the Super Bowl LIX-winning team, doubled down on his friendship with Trump in a tweet.
“lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT. Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long agoā¦and look forward to finishing my round with Trump ! Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have amazing day.”
Barkley joined the president at the White House ceremony along with owner Jeffrey Lurie, GM Howie Roseman, and members of the Eagles, after taking a photo with Trump in the Oval Office that the official White House account retweeted, highlighting his “get out my mentions” line.
But Hurts wasn’t there, citing the ever-popular “scheduling conflicts” that Michelle Obama also used as the reason for not attending the second Trump inauguration. Days earlier, while being honored at the Time 100 Most Influential event, Hurts curved a reporter who asked him about the White House visit by choosing not to say anything.
Whether in solidarity with their quarterback or more “scheduling conflicts,” multiple Eagles players skipped the ceremony as well, including star wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, Quinyon Marshall, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Jalyx Hunt, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (now with the Texans) Jordan Davis, Josh Sweat (now with the Arizona Cardinals) Darius Slay (now with the Steelers) and recent retiree Brandon Graham, who spent all 15 years of his NFL career with the team.
Aside from those pesky “conflicts,” what all those players have in common is that they are Black or biracial. None have publicly commented on their absence, even frequent social media users like Slay and Brown.
Hurts, 26, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, was raised by two educators, including his father Averion, who was also his high school coach. While he hasn’t openly made any political statements before now, his absence was viewed much in the way that Obama’s was, as a reflection of his personal beliefs. For those who want further proof that Hurts has some convictions, he has worn an X hat (a nod not to the social media site, but to the Malcolm X movie) a few times and a “Nah…Rosa Parks” shirt. Wearing T-shirts doesn’t always equate to social consciousness, but by not going and refusing to even address the visit, Hurts made his point.
Aside from posting a few workout videos, appearing on a Men’s Health cover, and announcing he was married, Hurts has mostly stayed out of the spotlight this offseason. He was at the Time 100 event, taking pictures with other honorees and athletes, including Simone Biles and Serena Williams. Other than that, the Texas native is presumably chilling at home with his new wife, Bry Burrows, and preparing for the next season to defend the Eagles’ title.
Given the president’s growing unpopularity, Barkley will likely pay more for hanging with Trump than Hurts will for avoiding it. The football season is months away, and by then, any political differences on the Eagles will likely be shelved in the pursuit of another Super Bowl title. But let’s give credit where credit is due, to Hurts and the players on the team whose absence spoke for itself.
See how social media is reacting to the Eagles’ White House visit below.Ā
