A Super Bowl victory often comes with an invitation to the White House, a tradition stretching back to 1980 under President Carter. For decades, champions have celebrated their wins at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. While occasional cancellations have occurred, usually due to significant events like the Challenger disaster, a team wasn’t disinvited until 2018. That year, the Philadelphia Eagles’ invitation was rescinded following news of a near-total player boycott. Now, with the Eagles once again Super Bowl champions and the same individual in office, the question arises—will history repeat itself, or will the team accept the invitation this time?
Philadelphia Eagles Face White House Dilemma After Super Bowl Victory
The Philadelphia Eagles are once again soaring after clinching the Super Bowl with a dominant 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, beyond the championship celebrations, the team now faces an important decision—whether or not to accept an expected invitation from President Donald Trump to visit the White House.
The Eagles’ relationship with the White House has been complicated in recent years. When they secured their first-ever Super Bowl title in 2018 by defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a visit to the White House never materialized. At the time, then-President Trump rescinded the team’s invitation, citing reports that several players were unlikely to attend due to his criticism of those protesting during the national anthem. In response, Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office did not hold back, calling Trump “a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the circumstances have changed, yet the dilemma remains. Trump, having secured his second term in office, also made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. This time, it is uncertain whether the Eagles will accept a likely invitation to celebrate their victory at the White House.
Veteran offensive lineman and team captain Lane Johnson has expressed a willingness to attend but acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the team. “I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see,” Johnson stated via Sportico’s Eric Jackson. “It’s ultimately a team decision. I’ll do what’s best for the team.” Having spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Eagles, Johnson understands the weight of the decision, particularly given past controversies.
Other players remain non-committal. Linebacker Zack Baun emphasized tradition, stating, “I feel like it’s something that the teams have always done. I’m excited for any opportunity to celebrate this win.” On the other hand, defensive end Josh Sweat appeared more focused on the upcoming city parade, saying, “It’s a great honor, but I’m looking forward to this parade more than anything.”
A Broader Trend Among Champions of Not Visiting White House
The Eagles are not the only championship-winning team to have faced this decision during Trump’s presidency. In 2017, after Stephen Curry publicly stated he would not attend a White House event, Trump withdrew the Golden State Warriors’ invitation. LeBron James weighed in, calling Trump a “bum.” The Warriors, after repeating as champions in 2018, opted to meet with former President Barack Obama instead. Similarly, North Carolina’s men’s basketball team declined Trump’s invitation in 2017, while the South Carolina women’s basketball team became the first NCAA champions in 34 years to not even receive one.
Even the Kansas City Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl during Trump’s first term in 2020, never made the traditional White House trip due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, under President Joe Biden, they visited the White House following their back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024.
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While Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie refrained from addressing the topic before the Super Bowl—stating simply, “I just want to win on Sunday”—the reality of an impending invitation now looms. Given the franchise’s history with White House visits and the political landscape surrounding Trump’s presidency, the Eagles must weigh their decision carefully. Will they embrace tradition, or will history repeat itself with another snub? Only time will tell.