THE source of Donald Trump’s resentment of the Philadelphia Eagles has been revealed.
His infamous beef with the Super Bowl winners erupted back in 2018.
Politico reported that Trump would have been thrilled “to see the Eagles get slaughtered in the biggest event in American sports.”
They are the “NFL team Trump loves to hate,” the political website added last Friday.
Also, USA Today columnist Chris Brennan wrote last Wednesday, “Trump still seems to have beef with my hometown football team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
“The likely reason for that is obvious. He can’t let any slight, real or perceived, ever be ignored or forgotten.”
The “slight” Brennan was referring to occurred in 2018, the first time the Eagles won a Super Bowl.
After beating the New England Patriots, the victors received a customary invitation to the White House.
But many players signalled they would boycott the prestigious event.
This was attributed to the president’s demands that players stand during the national anthem at games.
Fewer than 10 members of the team agreed to attend the celebration on the South Lawn, which had taken weeks to organize.
The New York Times reported at the time, “This year’s event to honor the Eagles has become a bitter reflection of the deep divisions in the United States over race, patriotism and Mr. Trump himself.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Donald Trump becomes first sitting President to watch Super Bowl live as POTUS arrives and greets Chiefs stars” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”pV1KxHf2t” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368572665112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The White House accused Eagles team members of pulling a “political stunt.”
To make matter worse, the team tried to reschedule the celebration – but proposed a time when Trump would be overseas.
So, Trump uninvited the team, and instead held what he dubbed a brief “patriotic celebration” featuring a military band and chorus delivering the Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
NOT ANTI-AMERICAN
He also launched a scathing attack in a statement, “The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow.
“They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
Being uninvited riled some players, who then complained Trump was unfairly painting them as anti-American.
[boxout headline=”Timeline of Donald Trump’s beef with the Philadelphia Eagles” featured-image=”33290427″ intro=”The clash between the Eagles and the president has been simmering for years and has turned into a grudge match”]2016:
Donald Trump was annoyed about the protests that had begun in 2016, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began silently kneeling on the sidelines during the anthem to raise awareness around racism and, specifically, the killing of black men by police.
The irate president suggested NFL owners fire “son of a b***h” players who “disrespect” the flag by kneeling.
It set off a fierce national debate over the rights of the football players to protest at games.
2017:
Donald Trump blasted the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality toward black Americans.
However, none of the Eagles had taken a knee during the anthem in 2017.
2018:
The Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in the first Super Bowl title for Philadelphia.
The Eagles were then – as is customary – invited to a White House event to honor the team’s success.
But many players signalled they would boycott the prestigious event.
This was attributed to the president’s demands that players stand during the national anthem at games.
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins planned to skip the ceremony “to avoid being used as any kind of pawn.”
He claimed in a statement in 2018 that the White House had made a “decision to lie, and paint the picture that these players are anti-America, anti-flag and anti-military.”
The White House accused Eagles team members of pulling a “political stunt.”
A raging Trump uninvited the team.
The White House instead hosted what he dubbed a brief “patriotic celebration” featuring a military band and chorus delivering the Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
Trump slammed them in a statement, saying, “They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
But, being publicly snubbed and mocked riled some players, who then complained Trump was unfairly painting them as anti-American.
2025:
The Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans on January 9, beating them 40-22.
However, it’s not clear as yet whether the Eagles will attend a special celebration at the White House.
A member of the ownership group told The U.S. Sun, “If we win the Super Bowl, we wouldn’t go to the White House.”
Trump reportedly left the game early at halftime as the Chiefs were down 24-0.
It’s possible that Trump won’t invite them to the White House because of the controversy in 2018.
The Associated Press reported in 2018 that the Republican also had beef with the team’s outspoken owner, Jeffrey Lurie, a Trump critic.
John Killion, a lifelong Eagles fan who lives in Florida, said he was “devastated and infuriated” by the communication breakdown which he blamed on the Eagles owners.
“I waited my whole life for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl and they were going to be congratulated at the White House.
“And I don’t really care who you like or dislike, it shouldn’t be about that,” he said at the time of the row.
MADE HISTORY
On Sunday, Trump made history by becoming the first U.S president in office to attend a Super Bowl.
He jetted to the Caesars Superdome to watch the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Trump, 78, arrived in New Orleans shortly before kick-off, and shook hands with players and local police.
Emotional Chiefs star Chris Jones broke down in tears during the national anthem.
But, Trump reportedly left early at halftime as the Chiefs were down 24-0.
The president had picked the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl on Sunday.
However, Philadelphia delighted fans with a 40-22 victory.
MYSTERY OVER EVENT
The big question now is, will the Eagles now agree to attend a White House celebration?
Yahoo! Sports reckons that the president still harbors a huge grudge, “There’s a possibility that Trump won’t extend an invitation because of what happened in 2018.”
Plus, an anonymous source has indicated to The U.S. Sun that the Eagles may snub an invitation to the White House for a second time.
Lurie was asked directly last Wednesday by Front Office Sports about a potential White House visit.
He deflected the question, and replied that the team was focused on winning.
However, a member of the ownership group told this publication, “If we win the Super Bowl, we wouldn’t go to the White House.”
A current player echoed those sentiments, claiming that “pretty much everyone” decided they would refuse to meet the President.
TRUMP PLAYED FOOTBALL
As a student, Trump played high school football.
And while a business baron, he owned a team – a rival to the NFL – and then sued the established league.
Prior to the big event, Trump released a statement saying he “looked forward to joining fans to cheer on two great teams.
“Football is America’s most popular sport—for good reason—it fosters a sense of national unity, bringing families, friends, and fans together and strengthening communities.
“May the best team win.”
According to Nielsen, the event attracted an average audience of 123.7 million viewers in the U.S., and a total international audience of 62.5 million.
