Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In a red-carpet interview with TIME Thursday, Jalen Hurts declined to say whether or not he'll attend the White House Monday when the team meets with President Donald Trump to celebrate their Super Bowl title:
Will Jalen Hurts visit the White House next week? pic.twitter.com/a82rZwnK0a
— TIME (@TIME) April 25, 2025
Perhaps you can make the case that a red-carpet interview — which is usually light-hearted — wasn't the time (no pun intended) for this question. But from here, it's a fair question.
If Hurts plans to attend the April 28 festivities, we're going to find out in short order. Although he may be able to avoid ever being asked about his decision to attend because by the time Training Camp comes around, it will be old news. It's entirely possible that with the organization making the decision to accept Trump's invitation, Hurts has been asked by the powers that be to attend given that he's the face of the franchise and he plans to oblige.
Also possible is that Hurts isn't planning to attend, but is being respectful of the fact that the organization and some of his teammates will, independent of how he may feel about this administration.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie has indicated that no players will be required to attend if they don't want to.
“Our culture is that these are optional things,” Lurie said earlier this month. “If you want to enjoy this, come along and we’ll have a great time and if you don’t, it is totally an optional thing.”
