Jalen Hurts is skipping the Philadelphia Eagles’ White House visit due to alleged “scheduling conflicts”. The quarterback’s absence was confirmed by a White House spokesperson, although it’s unclear if this reason is genuine or a polite decline.
Hurts’ decision comes after a reporter asked him about attending the White House ceremony during the 2025 TIME100 gala in New York, to which he responded with an awkward “um” and walked away. This reaction suggests Hurts might be intentionally avoiding the event.
Notably, Hurts’ absence contrasts with teammate Saquon Barkley’s recent interactions with President Donald Trump. Barkley spent time golfing with Trump at his New Jersey golf club and even flew to Washington on Marine One, prompting some criticism. Barkley fired back, saying, “May respect the office… Just golfed with Obama… and look forward to finishing my round with Trump!”.
The Eagles’ visit to the White House is optional for players, with owner Jeffrey Lurie stating that the team’s culture values flexibility. Lurie described the visit as “a time-honored tradition” and emphasized that players wouldn’t face penalties for missing it.
This situation echoes the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl win, when the team didn’t visit the White House after Trump rescinded their invitation amid controversy over NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. Hurts, who wasn’t part of the team then, seems to be navigating a delicate balance between his personal views and public appearances ¹ ² ³.
