Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Eagles in discussions about White House visit

The Philadelphia Eagles have received an invitation to visit the White House following their Super Bowl LII championship and are discussing how to move forward.

"We have been in contact with White House representatives and are currently discussing the logistics of an upcoming visit to Washington," the Eagles said through a team spokesman. "We are honored to receive this invitation and view this not only as an opportunity to be recognized for our on-field achievements, but also as an opportunity to engage in productive dialogue with the leaders of our country."

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive end Chris Long and former wide receiver Torrey Smith -- now with the Carolina Panthers -- are three of the Eagles players who have said they would not attend if an invitation was presented.

"I don't want to take away from anybody's experience or make it a big distraction. It's a celebratory event, and I want the guys who choose to go or whatever to enjoy that," Jenkins said in February. "Me personally, because it's not a meeting or a sitdown or anything like that, I'm just not interested in the photo op.

"Over the last two years, I've been meeting with legislators, both Republican and Democrat, it don't matter. If you want to meet to talk about events in my community, changing the country, I'm all for that. But this isn't one of those meetings, so I'll opt out of the photo opportunity."

Added Smith:  "Going to the White House should be seen as an honor, and I believe it is an honor, but to me it has to be an honor with the right type of respect in office. I just don't see it.

"It's not about politics; I just don't think the president is a good person. I don't want to go out of my way to go see someone who isn't even welcoming the men in this locker room and our different cultures."

The timing of White House visits for Super Bowl-winning teams has varied over the years. The New England Patriots' visit last year was announced in late March and occurred on April 19.

Quarterback Tom Brady was among those who did not attend for "personal family matters." In all, 34 players were present for the ceremony, a total similar to the team's past visits in 2004 and 2005 but noticeably fewer than in 2002 and 2015.

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