Former Eagles captain Malcolm Jenkins shared his thoughts on the decisions that Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts made in regards to the team’s official White House visit
Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins has provided his two cents on Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts’ differing actions during the Philadelphia Eagles’ official visit to the White House.
On Monday, President Donald Trump hosted the Eagles at the Oval Office to celebrate their win in Super Bowl LIX – despite predicting that the Kansas City Chiefs would emerge victorious several months prior.
After devising a ludicrous way to appear taller during the Ohio State football team’s visit earlier this month, Trump once again brought up the topic of height upon trying not to stand next to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.
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Turning his attention to the Eagles’ incredible season, Trump heaped praise on Hurts – who was notably not in attendance along with several other absent players due to “scheduling conflicts.”
Barkley, meanwhile, showed face at the White House one day after he spent time with Trump at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. During the proceedings, the 78-year-old boasted about advising the New York Giants not to part ways with the running back – a rumor that has since been debunked.
In a lengthy article posted to his substack, Jenkins looked back on the controversy that stemmed from his own scheduled visit to the White House. Following the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LII, Philadelphia’s trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was canceled due to a disagreement with Trump over the issue of standing during the National Anthem.
“When my Eagles team won the Super Bowl in 2018, myself and other key players on the roster declined the invitation to visit the White House. In return, the invitation for the entire team was rescinded,” Jenkins wrote.
“We didn’t just face criticism – we were thrust into a cultural storm that had very little to do with football and everything to do with what we stood for. Today, Jalen Hurts finds himself standing at that same crossroads.”
Though Jenkins acknowledged that Hurts’ absence would stir up a fierce debate, he praised the signal-caller for voicing his opinions through his actions. “When you’re the quarterback – the face of the team – your presence, or your absence, always says something,” he added.
“By choosing not to go, Jalen didn’t just make a personal decision. He made a public one. And with that decision comes a whole new set of challenges.”
“Jalen’s decision stands in opposition to a culture that often asks players to just ‘shut up and play.’ Instead, he’s choosing to lead – not just with his arm, but with his mind, his values, and his presence.
“It’s a risk. But it’s also an opportunity to become something much bigger than a champion. It’s the first step toward being an icon who matters – not just because of what he won, but because of what he stood for when it counted.”
While Jenkins disagreed with Barkley’s decision to visit the White House and enjoy an outing with Trump, the 37-year-old acknowledged that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. “It was disappointing, to say the very least but I understand that respect works both ways,” he said.
“Each man has to walk his own path. But neutrality is not neutrality in times like these. And even silence becomes a statement.”
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
