The scheduled ceremony for the Philadelphia Eagles at the White House was canceled due to a dispute over standing during the national anthem. President Donald Trump announced that the defending Super Bowl champions disagreed with him on the issue of standing for the anthem. Instead of hosting the Eagles, the White House planned “A Celebration of America” in honor of the country and its heroes.
Many Eagles players, especially black players, had decided not to attend the White House ceremony. The team learned of the cancellation through a public statement, causing disappointment among team members, including owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Doug Pederson. The decision to cancel the event sparked controversy, with former Eagles player Torrey Smith criticizing the move as cowardly.
Despite the canceled ceremony, the Eagles expressed gratitude for the support received and continued preparations for the upcoming season. Mayor Jim Kenney praised the team for its activism and contributions to the community, highlighting the diversity of the nation. This incident mirrored a similar situation with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 when Trump rescinded their White House invitation.
The Eagles are now expected to attend team activities at their training facility, with Pederson addressing the media in the coming days. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between professional sports teams and the White House regarding national anthem protests. Stay updated on the latest developments surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and the White House ceremony dispute.
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