Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has expressed his excitement about celebrating the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, with President Donald Trump at the White House.
The visit is scheduled for April 28, 2025, and marks a significant shift from the team’s past experiences with Trump. Sirianni said, “I’m really excited to go, yeah. What an honor. What an honor to be able to go to the White House.
Teams that have been able to win championships have been doing that for a long time, and I’m really honored to go and really excited to go.” This statement reflects his anticipation for the event, emphasizing the traditional importance of such visits.
The Eagles’ decision to accept Trump’s invitation this time contrasts with their 2018 experience, when, during Trump’s first term, he rescinded their White House invitation after some players declined to attend following their Super Bowl LII win.
The controversy arose when Trump criticized NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. However, in 2025, the team has “enthusiastically accepted” the invitation, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on March 11, 2025, who said, “We sent an invitation, they enthusiastically accepted, and you will see them here on April 28.”
Initial speculation after the 2025 Super Bowl win suggested the Eagles might decline the visit again due to their past tensions with Trump. Sirianni’s vague response immediately after the game, “I don’t even know. We’ll see as we go”—fueled this uncertainty.
However, later reports clarified the team’s intent to attend, with an Eagles source telling CNN on February 24, 2025, “We would be honored to visit the White House.” Trump himself confirmed on February 28, 2025, to The Spectator, “They’re coming here. Philadelphia is coming here,” and later promised a prompt invitation.
This visit will be the Eagles’ first to the White House during a Trump presidency, signaling a form of reconciliation after the 2018 fallout.
It also aligns with other recent sports teams visiting Trump, such as the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers and the upcoming visit by the 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Sirianni’s excitement underscores the event as a prestigious opportunity, separate from political overtones, focused on the honor of the tradition.