Jalen Hurts stood under a shower of red and gold confetti, his Super Bowl hat tilted sideways like a crown. The Philadelphia Eagles had just pulled off a win as satisfying as a late-summer Philly cheesesteak—greasy, glorious, and unapologetically bold. But as fans toasted with Yuenglings and debated whether this victory topped the ’18 parade, a lingering question hung in the air. Sharp as a Veterans Stadium bleacher seat: Would the Birds fly to the White House?

On February 24, the Eagles slammed the brakes on swirling rumors. “We would be honored to visit the White House,” a team source told NFL Network’s Albert Breer, adding “it’s one of the things we had looked forward to doing and we look forward to receiving the invitation.” This came hours after another report.

The U.S. Sun claimed the team had issued a “massive no”—a report the White House later called “fake news.” Cue the collective eyebrow raise from Delaware County to D.C. Now let’s rewind…

Flashback to 2018. Fresh off their first Super Bowl win, the Eagles’ White House invite was abruptly yanked. Then-President Trump’s (conincidentally) press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused players of planning a “political stunt” after reports suggested only a handful would attend.  What happened eventually?

The team instead held an OTA practice. Safety Malcolm Jenkins, who’d raised a fist during the anthem multiple times, later told NBC, “We can talk about social issues and still have a great game.” Fast-forward to 2025.

Despite pregame speculation, Jalen Hurts’s Eagles are singing a new tune. “It’s ultimately a team decision,” veteran tackle Lane Johnson told Sportico on February 5. “I’ll do what’s best for the team.” The shift mirrors the NFL’s broader balancing act: celebrating tradition while navigating political minefields. However, conservative pundits erupted when The U.S. Sun’s story resurged.

Megyn Kelly blasted the Eagles on X: “SAME. GO F YOURSELVES EAGLES. My husband is a fan so I got onboard but F this BS.” Meanwhile, Philly fans shrugged, channeling the city’s cheesesteak-and-beer pragmatism.

Will Trump host Hurts and the birds?

As of February 24, no formal invite has been sent. But a White House official confirmed to POLITICO that talks are ongoing. The Eagles’ stance? We’re ready if called, per Breer’s source. It’s a stark contrast to 2018, but echoes recent visits like the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup trip earlier that month. Meanwhile, Johnson provided a vote of confidence.

Johnson, a ’18 and ’25 champ, emphasized unity. “I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see,” he said. His words carry weight—like a fullback clearing a path—amid debates over DEI policies and anthem protests. The President?

Trump, who left Super Bowl LIX early, initially ignored the Eagles’ win, instead roasting Taylor Swift and kickoff rules on Truth Social. But by February 10, he conceded on The Mark Levin Show: “The Eagles were really, it was like flawless football, amazing.” Sports and politics will always tango, but for now, the Eagles are opting for diplomacy.

This chapter leans less on protest and more on pragmatism—a touchdown dance, not a kneel. Whether the visit happens by summer remains to be seen.

But for a team that’s weathered boos and brotherly love, this choice feels like a Hail Mary pass—caught cleanly. As Hemingway once wrote, “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” For Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, strength lies not in refusal. But in rising above the noise. Play on.