It was supposed to be a party. You know the drill: the Super Bowl champs show up in suits, the President cracks a few jokes about the "Big Game," and everyone gets a glossy photo for the mantle. But when it came to the Eagles White House visit, things got messy. Fast.
Honestly, it wasn't just a simple "no thanks." It was a full-blown political standoff that ended with a total disinvitation. If you're looking for the list of Eagles white house visit who skipped, you have to look at two different eras: the 2018 cancellation and the more recent 2025 visit.
The 2018 Disaster: When Nobody Was Going to Show Up
Let’s go back to June 2018. The Eagles had just pulled off one of the gutsiest Super Bowl wins in history, taking down Tom Brady and the Patriots with the "Philly Special." The city was electric. But when it came time to head to Washington D.C., the vibe shifted.
The White House ended up pulling the plug on the whole event less than 24 hours before it was supposed to happen. Why? Because the President realized hardly anyone was coming.
Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long were the loudest "no" votes early on. They didn't hide it. They were vocal about social justice issues and didn't want to be used as a political backdrop. Torrey Smith was right there with them. He basically called the whole situation a "cowardly act" when the administration tried to blame the "National Anthem" for the cancellation.
👉 See also: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
The math was brutal for the administration. Out of a massive roster and staff, sources at the time said fewer than 10 players were actually planning to attend. We’re talking about a squad of 53 active players plus practice squad and staff. Imagine throwing a wedding and only two cousins show up. It’s embarrassing.
The Anthem Myth
Here is the thing that still trips people up: the White House claimed the Eagles "skipped" because they disagreed with standing for the National Anthem.
Except... not a single Eagles player had actually kneeled during the anthem during that entire 2017-2018 season. Not one. Torrey Smith went on a Twitter tear about this, calling out the "lies" and pointing out that the players were being painted as anti-military when their beef was about something else entirely.
Basically, the "delegation" the Eagles tried to send was so small that the President decided it was better to cancel the whole thing and hold a "Celebration of America" with the Marine Band instead.
✨ Don't miss: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Fast Forward to 2025: The Jalen Hurts No-Show
History has a funny way of repeating itself, but with a different flavor. In April 2025, the Eagles finally made it back to the South Lawn after another Super Bowl victory. But the list of Eagles white house visit who skipped grew once again, and this time it included the face of the franchise.
Jalen Hurts didn't attend.
When a reporter asked him about the visit a week prior, he gave a long, awkward silence followed by a "Umm..." before walking away. On the day of the event, the official reason was "scheduling conflicts."
He wasn't the only one missing from the 2025 celebration:
🔗 Read more: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
- A.J. Brown (Star Wide Receiver)
- DeVonta Smith (Wide Receiver)
- Brandon Graham (Defensive Legend)
- Darius Slay (Cornerback)
- Jalen Carter & Jordan Davis (The young defensive core)
While some players like Saquon Barkley notably attended—even catching a ride on Air Force One—the absence of the starting quarterback and most of the defense was a loud statement, even if they used the "scheduling" excuse.
Why Do These Skips Matter?
In the old days, skipping a White House visit was usually about a personal grudge or just being too busy fishing (looking at you, Tom Brady). But with the Eagles, it has become a marker of the team's culture.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie has always been pretty clear: it’s optional. He doesn't force his guys to go. This "player-first" mentality is why the Eagles locker room stays so tight even when the headlines are screaming about political drama.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the drama of who shows up and who stays home, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Source: In 2018, the "Anthem" narrative was a political spin. Look at what the players actually said—most were focused on criminal justice reform, not the flag.
- The "Scheduling Conflict" Shield: When a star like Jalen Hurts misses a high-profile event, "scheduling" is almost always the PR-friendly way to avoid a week of cable news debates.
- Locker Room Dynamics: Notice that players usually skip in groups. In 2025, it was almost the entire defense. These guys stick together.
Whether you think they should go or not, the Eagles have proven that they aren't afraid to let their empty seats do the talking. It’s a trend that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon in Philly.
To get a better sense of how this impacts team chemistry, you can look at the historical attendance rates of other championship teams like the Golden State Warriors or the USWNT, who also famously navigated these same waters during the late 2010s.