More than two months after their Super Bowl LIX victory, the Philadelphia Eagles were welcomed to the White House on Monday by President Donald Trump. The celebration, filled with sports pageantry and political symbolism, took place notably without the team's star quarterback, Jalen Hurts.

Hurts, 26, cited a schedule conflict as the reason for his absence, according to media reports. His decision to skip the event was especially notable given his key role in the Eagles' championship run.

Speaking from a podium set up on the White House lawn, Trump praised the team: “It’s an honor to be with this group of champions. The Eagles are a tremendous team with a great coach. Having them at the White House is special and important,” he said.

The president was joined by head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who presented him with an official team jersey emblazoned with the number 47—a nod to a potential second reelection.

As part of the tradition, every member of the Eagles delegation received a personalized gift from the president inside the Oval Office. Johnson, clearly moved, thanked Trump and said, “It was an incredible year. I want to thank the owners and the coaches. This isn’t the end—we’re ready to do it again.”

The visit stood in contrast to 2018, when the Eagles declined an invitation to the White House after winning their first NFL title, citing concerns over Trump’s policies during his first term.

Just one day before the ceremony, Trump played a round of golf with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards. Their outing drew criticism on social media, but Barkley responded bluntly: “Maybe I just respect the office of the president.”

Trump also shared that he had offered to personally fly Barkley from New Jersey to Washington, calling him “a great person and an incredible player.”

While the ceremony followed long-standing tradition, it also reflected the evolving relationship between sports icons and political power in an increasingly polarized America.

With information from AFP