Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has issued a firm and unambiguous message: the Super Bowl champions will visit the White House on April 28, and politics won’t stand in the way of tradition.
Speaking at the NFL’s annual league meetings, Sirianni put an end to speculation that the Eagles might skip the traditional White House visit, a rumor stoked by some media outlets citing the franchise’s past with President Donald Trump.
“I’m really excited to go,” Sirianni said. “What an honor. What an honor to be able to go to the White House.”
The coach’s comments signal a clear departure from the team’s fraught 2018 post-Super Bowl moment. That year, amid growing tensions over national anthem protests and only a handful of players reportedly willing to attend, then-President Trump canceled the Eagles’ visit. The event became a flashpoint in the broader cultural debate over sports and politics.
Now, with Trump back in office following his 2024 reelection, and the Eagles reclaiming NFL supremacy with a decisive 40–22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the tone has notably changed. This time, the invitation has been accepted without hesitation.
Sirianni emphasized that the upcoming visit is about honoring achievement, not making a political statement.
“I’m really honored to go and really excited to go,” he repeated, dismissing narratives that frame the visit as a divisive issue.
The team’s position reflects a broader sentiment that championship traditions, including visits to the White House, should remain above partisan conflict. Sirianni’s clarity may help reestablish the practice as a non-political celebration of excellence, especially after a decade where such events have been repeatedly politicized.
The 2024 Eagles arrived at the White House invitation with full merit. Led by MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts, who set a Super Bowl record with 72 rushing yards by a quarterback, Philadelphia finished the season 14–3 and fielded the top-ranked defense in the NFL. Their postseason run included dominant wins over NFC powerhouses before halting the Chiefs’ attempt at a rare three-peat.
Notably, the team’s performance and leadership have fueled league-wide attention, as evidenced by the large media turnout at Sirianni’s press availability. Reporters not only pressed him on the White House trip but also on league discussions surrounding the controversial “Tush Push” play, a formation critics argue gives the Eagles an unfair short-yardage advantage.
