Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown reiterated why they skipped a trip to the White House last month, telling reporters Tuesday that they had scheduling conflicts that prevented them from taking part in the celebration of the Eagles’ Super Bowl 2025 win.
“I wasn’t available,” Hurts said at a press conference. “I don’t think that’s pertinent. Everyone who went and was available, they seemed to enjoy themselves.”
Brown echoed a similar sentiment when he addressed the topic, explaining that his absence didn’t have any political meaning to it.
“I had a personal reason I was dealing with that day,” Brown said. “It wasn’t about politics or who is in office or anything. I just had something personal going on with my family.”
Roughly 30 players attended the White House ceremony for the Eagles on April 28, which included star running back Saquon Barkley, who spent the day before with President Donald Trump playing golf in New Jersey before hitching a ride on Air Force One down to Washington, D.C.
Hurts previously sidestepped questions over whether he would attend the celebration leading up to the event, but Trump did praise the Eagles quarterback as a “terrific guy and terrific player.”
The White House described Hurts’ absence as part of “scheduling conflicts.”
Cornerback Darius Slay, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, defensive ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, tackle Jalen Carter and linebacker Zack Baun were also among those not at the White House ceremony.
Trump spoke highly of the Eagles during the ceremony, and defensive back Eli Ricks even fawned over the President’s daughter, Ivanka, in a social media post after seeing her in person.
“Donald trump daughter is beautiful damn,” Ricks posted on X. “After seeing her in person Ivanka is exactly my type.”
