Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts offered a blunt response when a reporter asked him why he didn't attend his Super Bowl-winning team's White House visit to meet President Donald Trump.
Hurts was reserved when asked by Time magazine last month whether he planned to attend. He went viral after video showed he could only squirm and try not to look into the camera before walking away. The reporter who spoke to him at the time could only stand there, also pretty awkwardly, we assume, before muttering a quick "thank you."
But a different reporter brought this up again, leading to Hurts giving the following clipped answer:
“I wasn’t available. I don’t think that’s pertinent. Everyone who went, and was available, they seemed to enjoy themselves.”
You can hear what he said in the video below.
People appreciated his shady response.
Funny how reporters can remember to ask follow up questions to athletes but fail to do their jobs when it comes to politicians
— Rey Wil (@reywil08.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Because they’ve hit integrity…in fact I don’t need an explanation…doing something good doesn’t require it.
— Hawkwind (@hawkwind65.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
They don't need to explain. Why are they even being asked? It's their choice, we don't live in N Korea YET. 😡
— ToWhom ItMayConcern (@grbbngtheshovel.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Although franchise owner Jeffrey Lurie said last month that being “celebrated at the White House” is a “time-honored tradition,” he did note that the trip was completely optional, so Hurts was not going to face any penalty whatsoever for choosing not to attend.
Although Hurts is the most prominent player on the team, it's worth pointing out that at least a dozen other players were absent and did not attend for one reason or another.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
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