Jalen Hurts sparks outrage after ditching Trump White House invite, fans accuse QB of hiding political bias behind “scheduling conflict” excuse

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made headlines recently for declining an invitation to the White House following his team’s Super Bowl victory. Although Hurts officially cited a "scheduling conflict" as the reason for his absence, many see this move as a quiet but clear political statement against former President Donald Trump, who hosted the event.

Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP, was expected to be one of the central figures at the ceremony. His decision not to attend stands out, especially because the White House visit is traditionally seen as an honor and a symbol of national recognition.

However, Hurts is not alone. Several of his teammates, including star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, also skipped the event. In total, fewer than half of the Eagles’ players attended the White House ceremony, a striking number that speaks volumes about the team's divided views on the current political climate.
NBC’s Yamiche Alcindor posted on X (formerly Twitter): "A White House official confirms to me that @Eagles quarterback @JalenHurts will not be visiting the White House when the Super Bowl champions come later this afternoon." Alcindor added that sources cited only "scheduling conflicts" for Hurts’ absence. Later reports noted that other Eagles players also chose not to attend the reception, similarly pointing to "prior commitments."
Eagles team owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed they would attend the White House ceremony, but Lurie emphasized that participation was entirely voluntary. “Our culture is that these are optional things. If you want to enjoy this, come along and we'll have a great time, and if you don't, it's a totally optional thing,” he said.

This is not the first time the Eagles have had a complicated relationship with the White House. In 2018, the team was disinvited by then-President Trump after many players expressed opposition to attending due to his stance on social justice protests, particularly those related to kneeling during the national anthem. The tension between Trump and NFL athletes over these issues has continued to resurface in the years since.
During the recent ceremony, Trump still praised the Eagles, calling them an “incredible group” and even complimented Hurts as a “terrific player,” despite his absence. The event also drew attention for Trump's comment directed at singer Taylor Swift. In a light-hearted jab, he referenced the Eagles' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, whose tight end Travis Read Kelce is Swift’s partner.
Also Read: Jalen Hurts remains silent on White House visit after Eagles accept Donald Trump’s invitation—what does this mean?
Many observers believe Hurts’ decision was not just about timing, but rather a silent form of protest. While he did not make any public statements denouncing Trump or the visit, the context and history suggest that his absence carried a message. This kind of silent protest aligns with a broader trend of athletes using their platform to express political or social views in subtle but impactful ways.