By Sunday 
The Philadelphia Eagles are trading helmets for handshakes as they get ready to head to Washington for a long-anticipated White House visit. After wrapping up an intense NFL draft, the Birds are set to swap game plans for golf swings—and, apparently, a few well-timed chuckles at presidential jokes.
A New Chapter After a Historic Season
Fresh off their championship season, the Eagles will officially be honored at the White House on Monday. It’s a big deal—especially considering the complicated history between the Eagles and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
You might remember that after their 2018 Super Bowl win, the Birds never made the trip. That year’s visit was abruptly canceled by the White House, reportedly after it became clear that only a handful of players were planning to show up. It was a tense time politically, with player protests during the national anthem stirring up plenty of headlines.
Instead of celebrating the Eagles, the White House held what it called a “celebration of America”—which, depending on your view, was either a patriotic concert or one of the strangest fumble recoveries in political sports history.
This Time, It’s Different (Maybe)
Fast forward to today, and the mood is a lot lighter. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has already confirmed that the team will attend, sharing that, for many players, visiting the White House is a childhood dream finally realized.
“When you grow up and you hear about the championship team got to go to the White House, that’s what this is,” Lurie said. “We didn’t have that opportunity and now we do, and I think we are all looking forward to it.”
But before you picture the full roster piling into Air Force One, it’s important to note: attendance is optional. And not every Eagle has been crystal clear about their plans. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, for example, stayed pretty vague when asked about it last week.
Saquon Barkley: Already Warming Up
At least one star is definitely in D.C. already. Saquon Barkley, who recently joined the Eagles, spent Sunday golfing with President Trump at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey. After a few rounds on the green, Barkley and the president hopped on a flight to Washington together.
Trump, never one to miss a soundbite opportunity, joked with reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport:
“What a nice guy he is. I wanted to race him but I decided not to do it.”
(Probably a wise call—Barkley runs a 40-yard dash in, like, two blinks.)
Cue the Awkward Laughter and Victory Smiles
Now the big question: will the team be ready to handle the inevitable dad jokes, awkward group photos, and slightly uncomfortable small talk that come with a White House event? No doubt the Birds are practicing their best polite laughs and planning which suit says, “I’m honored to be here… but please don’t make me sing the national anthem solo.”
Regardless of who shows up and who sits it out, one thing is clear—the Eagles’ journey this season has earned them a spotlight far beyond Lincoln Financial Field. And if it means one or two forced chuckles at presidential puns? Well, it’s all part of the victory lap.