Re: Donald Trump revoked Eagles' White House invite after Super Bowl win

"Leroy N. Soetoro" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]: 

> https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-revoked-eagles-whi
> te- house-invite-after-super-bowl-win/ar-AA1yIGnB
> 
> The tradition of the Super Bowl-winning team visiting the White House
> is a long-standing one, but Donald Trump infamously canceled the
> Philadelphia Eagles' 2018 trip to the capital.
> 

    
    Has there ever been a president so petty?



> Trump attended last night's Super Bowl in New Orleans and raged that
> it had been "ruined" as he descended into a Taylor Swift meltdown.
> 
> The Eagles, led by Nick Foles, previously clinched victory over the
> Tom Brady-led New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, marking one of
> the highest-scoring Super Bowls in history with a 41-33 win in
> Minneapolis. A few months later, Doug Pederson and his team were
> scheduled to visit Pennsylvania Avenue to meet President Trump.
> 
> However, several players, including Chris Long, Malcolm Jenkins, and 
> Torrey Smith, expressed their unwillingness to attend following the
> NFL's decision to ban players from kneeling or making any other
> protest gestures during the national anthem.
> 
> The trend of players kneeling during the anthem was initiated by
> former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a protest
> against racial injustices across the United States. President Trump's
> statements labeling the protests as unpatriotic only exacerbated the
> issue. 
> 
> Ultimately, the Eagles' invitation to the White House was rescinded
> when the organisation opted to send a smaller delegation to Washington
> D.C. for the event after some players made it clear they did not wish
> to visit President Trump.
> 
> President Trump released a statement saying: "The Philadelphia Eagles
> are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be
> celebrated tomorrow. 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. 
> 
> "The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans 
> planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still
> invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony
> – one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who
> fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the national anthem.
> I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and
> the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America."
> 
> Following Trump's announcement, the Eagles responded with a statement:
> "It has been incredibly thrilling to celebrate our first Super Bowl 
> championship. Watching the entire Eagles community come together has
> been an inspiration. We are truly grateful for all of the support we
> have received and we are looking forward to continuing our
> preparations for the 2018 season."
> 
> The NFL Players' Association also weighed in, expressing
> disappointment through a spokesperson: "Our union is disappointed in
> the decision by the white house to disinvite players from the
> Philadelphia Eagles from being recognized and celebrated by all
> Americans for their accomplishment. 
> 
> "This decision by the White House has led to the cancellation of
> several player-led community service events for young people in the
> Washington D.C. area. NFL players love their country, support our
> troops, give back to their communities, and strive to make America a
> better place." 
> 
> It's yet to be determined whether the 2025 Eagles squad will have any 
> qualms about visiting President Trump after triumphing at Caesars 
> Superdome.
> 
>