Abdelrahman
Overview
Sources indicate that the Philadelphia Eagles intend to accept a White House invitation to commemorate their Super Bowl win, provided they receive one. This follows backlash on social media, particularly from conservative users, who criticized the team amid rumors that they would forgo this longstanding tradition, as reported by multiple news outlets and reports.
The Eagles triumphed over the Chiefs 40-22 in this year’s Super Bowl. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Essential Insights
The criticism directed at the Eagles appears to stem from a report by The U.S. Sun, which surfaced just before the Super Bowl clash against the Kansas City Chiefs. The article mentioned an unnamed insider claiming that both the Eagles organization and players had firmly stated they would not accept a White House invitation if they were victorious, backed by comments from an undisclosed “member of the ownership group” and an anonymous “Eagles star.”
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly reacted to allegations that the Eagles declined a White House invitation, stating, “GO F YOURSELVES EAGLES” on social media. Later, she provided an update acknowledging the report and mentioning that the White House denied inviting the Eagles.
The discontent towards the Eagles persisted on Monday, with conservative social media users criticizing the team, which made “Philadelphia Eagles” one of the top five trending topics that afternoon.
When questioned about the situation, the White House referred to a tweet by sports journalist Clay Travis, who stated that no invitation had been extended to the Eagles as of Monday, asserting that the “viral reports circulating are inaccurate.”
Comments from NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport further debunked the claims that the Eagles rejected an invitation. Both highlighted that team insiders expressed hope for an official invitation.
As of now, the Eagles have not responded to Forbes’ request for commentary.
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Jeffrey Lurie’s Connection to Trump
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has previously voiced criticism of former President Donald Trump, reportedly labeling Trump’s initial term as “disastrous” during a private meeting with NFL team owners in 2018, according to The New York Times. Additionally, Lurie has made donations to political figures such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, as reported by Politico.
Contextual Background
During this year’s Super Bowl, Trump predicted a victory for the Chiefs, but the Eagles ultimately claimed the title with a decisive 40-22 score. Traditionally, champions from major American sports leagues, as well as some collegiate champions, are honored with visits to the White House. However, after their Super Bowl LII victory in 2018, the Eagles did not make the trip following Trump’s comments about players who kneel during the national anthem. Trump rescinded the Eagles’ invitation after a majority of players indicated they would not attend due to the president’s remarks on the anthem. Other championship teams, such as the 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors and the 2018 Seattle Storm, also opted not to visit the White House during Trump’s presidency.
Forbes Valuation Report
Jeffrey Lurie’s net worth is estimated to be $5.3 billion, while the Eagles franchise is valued at $6.6 billion, ranking them as the eighth most valuable team in the NFL.
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