The Philadelphia Eagles and the White House: A Trip Steeped in History and Controversy

The Eagles’ Victory and the White House Invitation

The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh from their dominating 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, are set to make history once again—not just on the field, but off it. Despite initial rumors suggesting the team might skip the traditional White House visit to celebrate their championship win, President Donald Trump has officially extended an invitation to the team. This marks a significant moment, especially given the Eagles’ history with the White House. Back in 2018, when the team won Super Bowl LII, their victory celebration at the White House was mired in controversy. President Trump rescinded the invitation after it was reported that several players planned to boycott the event, citing objections to Trump’s criticisms of NFL players who knelt during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.

This time around, however, the Eagles seem poised to accept the invitation. A club source recently confirmed to OutKick that the team intends to make the trip, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics between the team and the White House. Trump, who attended the Super Bowl and had initially predicted a Kansas City Chiefs victory, was quick to praise the Eagles’ performance. “They will be [invited]. We haven’t yet, but we will be,” Trump told reporters. “I thought it was a great performance by them. Absolutely, they’ll be extended an invitation. We’ll do it right away, we’ll do it some time today. They deserve to be down here, and we hope to see them.”

A Team Decision with Historical Echoes

The decision to visit the White House has historically been a contentious one for the Eagles. Veteran offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who was part of the Super Bowl LII team, recently weighed in on the matter, calling it a “team decision.” Johnson and other players from the 2018 team were at the center of the controversy when Trump rescinded the invitation. At the time, Trump released a statement criticizing the players who refused to attend, saying, “They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.” The move was widely seen as a rebuke of the players’ right to protest and sparked a national debate about patriotism, free speech, and the role of athletes in social justice movements.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Eagles appear to be taking a different approach. While the team has not yet made an official announcement about the White House visit, the signals from both the club and the President suggest that this year’s celebration will proceed without the same level of controversy. However, the precedent set by the 2018 team serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between sports, politics, and social activism in modern America.

A Tradition of Celebration and Controversy

The White House visit has long been a staple of championship celebrations in American sports. For decades, teams from the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other leagues have made the trip to Washington, D.C., to honor their victories and meet the President. However, in recent years, this tradition has become increasingly politicized. The Florida Panthers, for example, recently visited the White House to celebrate their Stanley Cup victory last summer, marking one of the latest in a series of championship teams to do so during Trump’s presidency.

However, not all teams have chosen to participate. The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers, winners of the 2019 and 2020 NBA Finals, respectively, declined to visit the White House during Trump’s first presidency. Similarly, the Milwaukee Bucks opted to visit President Joe Biden instead of Trump after winning the NBA championship in 2021. The last professional sports team to visit Trump in the White House during his first presidency was the 2019 Washington Nationals, who celebrated their World Series victory over the Houston Astros just days after the final game. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the tradition in 2020, and by the time restrictions were lifted, Biden had taken office, marking a shift in the dynamics of these visits.

The Biden Era and the Evolution of White House Visits

Under President Joe Biden, the White House has continued the tradition of hosting championship teams, though the tone and tenor of these events have differed from those during Trump’s presidency. Both the UConn men’s basketball team and the LSU women’s basketball team visited Biden last year, continuing a long-standing tradition of celebrating collegiate champions. However, Biden also faced criticism for his handling of certain invitations. For instance, he was accused of initially snubbing the University of Georgia football team after their national championship victory. Despite eventually extending an invitation, the Bulldogs declined to visit, citing a combination of logistical challenges and COVID-19 concerns.

The Las Vegas Aces, winners of the 2022 WNBA Finals, and the Boston Celtics, the 2023 NBA champions, were among the last teams to visit Biden before he left office. However, not all teams have been eager to make the trip. The Denver Nuggets, for example, canceled their planned visit in 2023, citing their focus on securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. These decisions highlight the growing trend of teams prioritizing their competitive goals over the traditional White House visit, as well as the increasingly personal and political nature of these events.

The Broader Cultural Context of Championship Visits

The decision to visit the White House has become a lightning rod for debates about patriotism, politics, and social justice. For some, the visit is a nonpartisan celebration of athletic achievement and a moment to honor the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff. For others, it represents an opportunity to make a political statement, whether by attending or by boycotting. The Eagles’ decision to accept Trump’s invitation this year comes at a time when the nation is deeply divided along partisan lines, and the act of visiting the White House could be interpreted as either a gesture of unity or a endorsement of the administration’s policies.

The Eagles’ history with the White House adds another layer of significance to this decision. In 2018, the team’s players were at the forefront of the national anthem protests, a movement that began with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. The protests, which spread across the NFL and other sports leagues, were intended to draw attention to systemic racism and police brutality. However, they were also met with fierce opposition from those who viewed them as disrespectful to the flag and the military. Trump was a vocal critic of the protests, and his rescission of the White House invitation to the Eagles was seen by many as a direct response to the team’s involvement in the movement.

The Future of White House Visits and Their Cultural Significance

As the Eagles prepare to make their decision about the White House visit, they are part of a larger conversation about the role of sports in society. Championship visits to the White House have always been about more than just celebrating a win—they are also about the values and beliefs that the team represents. For some, the visit is a way to connect with fans and inspire the next generation of athletes. For others, it is an opportunity to make a statement about the issues that matter most to them.

The Eagles’ choice to visit the White House this year will undoubtedly be scrutinized by fans and critics alike. Whatever decision they make, it will be interpreted through the lens of the current cultural and political climate. As athletes and teams continue to navigate the complexities of sports and politics, one thing is clear: the White House visit is no longer just a celebration of victory—it is a platform for expression, a symbol of unity or division, and a reflection of the values that we, as a society, hold dear.
In the end, the Eagles’ decision will be remembered not just as a moment in sports history, but as a defining moment in the ongoing dialogue between athletics and activism.