In the NFL, a White House invitation is usually a once-in-a-career honor—a chance for champions to swap shoulder pads for suits and shake hands with the President. But for CJ Gardner-Johnson, it wasn’t the politics, the prestige, or even the protocols that kept him home. It was something far more relatable: the trauma of not fitting in…quite literally. While his teammates posed for photos in the Rose Garden, Gardner-Johnson gave fans a much different look—one that included snacks, laughter, and a brutally honest live stream from the comfort of his couch.

After the White House invited the Super Bowl LIX champions, Jalen Hurts’ team has stayed in headlines for reasons beyond their trophy run. While HC Nick Sirianni and several players attended the celebration, stars like Hurts and safety Gardner-Johnson were noticeably absent—prompting speculation and viral clips across social media. On Monday, CJ Gardner-Johnson went live on Instagram to chat with fans and share a few laughs. One viewer asked why he didn’t attend the White House visit, perhaps expecting a political or principled stance. But Gardner-Johnson, ever the wildcard, delivered a hilarious and unexpected answer.

“I was getting fat at the crib. I ain’t going to put on that tight-a– f—— suit,” he said, between bites of food on the live stream. He continued, “Had my f—— neck all up in s—. You see how big my neck is?” The clip quickly gained traction, partly because of its comedic timing—and partly because fans didn’t see it coming. He doubled down on the wardrobe woes, adding, “Cut it. I couldn’t do it, bro. Man, I’ve been loosening my collar and s—, talked to the president, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Like I’m on [drug] or something.“

Then came a tongue-in-cheek comparison to NBA players. “Y’all gotta understand, but we football players, we are not basketball players. Like, the f—? Nah, just the suit was gonna be too tight,” he said, dismissing the formality altogether. His final words on the topic had a little more edge, as he emphasized his desire to stop explaining himself to the public: “While I’m gonna lie, I talk s—. Why? Cause they ask why I ain’t going to the White House. Stop explaining yourself to them people.”

That hilarious rant might just have seen him take his name out of the firing line for some supporters. But his QB is still keeping his silence.

Why did Jalen Hurts not join the team for the POTUS visit?

While Gardner-Johnson passed on the formalities, several of his Eagles teammates—including Saquon Barkley—were present at the event. President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, posted a heartfelt moment with Barkley on social media. Her young son Theo challenged the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year to a race in the Rose Garden. “My highlight of the day? Theo challenged [Barkley] to a race in the Rose Garden after my father wisely demurred! Thanks, Saquon, for being such a great sport!” Ivanka shared.

Meanwhile, quarterback Jalen Hurts’ absence stirred more serious speculation. Given his status as the face of the franchise, fans were puzzled when he didn’t show up alongside his teammates. Adding fuel to the fire was a viral clip of Hurts being asked about the visit—he simply smiled and stayed silent.

NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor later reported, “The White House official confirms to me that the Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will not be visiting the White House when the Super Bowl champions come later this afternoon.” She added the official explanation: “The White House says, ‘Hurts and other players who can’t attend had scheduling conflicts.’”

So, was it just a packed calendar—or something more personal? For Gardner-Johnson, the reason was clear—and hilarious. For Hurts, the silence remains louder than words. Either way, the Super Bowl champs have made headlines off the field once again…this time in suits, sweats, and speculation.