President Donald Trump Cancels the Philadelphia Eagles Visit to The White House
Source: Instagram
Donald Trump cancels the Eagles visit
The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles will not make the customary visit to the White House this year. On Monday eveningPresidentDonald Trump and the White House announced that they were canceling the event, due to the fact that only a small amount of players were going to attend the ceremony.
\u201cThe Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1528167356
READ: The Philadelphia Eagles Win The 2018 Super Bowl
In a statement, Trump said:
The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. 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 Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.
What's interestinghere, is that no Eagles player kneeled during the National Anthem this year. Even thoughEagles safety Malcolm Jenkins did hold a fist during the anthem last year.
\u201cThis can\u2019t be serious.... Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this... https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK\u201d— Zach Ertz (@Zach Ertz) 1528200249
This would be the first time a President uninvited a whole team to the ceremony. Last year's NBA champions, the Golden State Warrior, declined the invitation from Trump. Instead, they visited the African American Museum in DC.
READ: Meek Mill Responds to the Eagles Winning Super Bowl LII
Instead of hosting the team, Trump plans on having "A Celebration of America" event, where they will play music "celebrating our country:"
\u201cWe will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1528196914
\u201cWe have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others. National Anthem & more great music today at 3:00 P.M.\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1528197718
The cancellation was truly last minute. According to ESPN, players didn't learn about it until the statement was released. And shortly after, the NFLPA put out a statement talking about how the last minute cancellation will affect multiple played-led community service events.
Source: ESPN