Following the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LIX triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs, the question of a traditional White House visit has arisen. Veteran offensive lineman Lane Johnson stated that the decision will be made collectively by the team.
Johnson expressed his personal willingness to attend, regardless of the current president, emphasizing that it would be an honor. However, he stressed the importance of a unified team decision, prioritizing the best interests of the entire organization. "I’d be honored to go, regardless of who the president is, but we’ll see. It’s ultimately a team decision. I’ll do what’s best for the team," Johnson commented, as reported by Sportico’s Eric Jackson.
A seasoned team captain who has spent his entire 12-season NFL career with the Eagles, Johnson has witnessed similar discussions in the past. The 2018 Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots sparked controversy when then-President Donald Trump rescinded the team's invitation after several players indicated they would not attend due to his stance on national anthem protests.
Trump's statement at the time highlighted his belief that the planned attendees "deserved better" and reiterated his disapproval of players protesting during the anthem. He stated 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."
Prior to Super Bowl LIX, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, when questioned about a potential White House visit, simply stated his focus was on winning the game, according to Front Office Sports. Defensive end Josh Sweat, who played a pivotal role in the Super Bowl with 2.5 sacks, echoed this sentiment, expressing his greater excitement for the upcoming victory parade in Philadelphia.
The Eagles' championship parade is scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.
