The Philadelphia Eagles have been disinvited from their Super Bowl celebration at the White House. At roughly 7 p.m. on Monday night, President Donald Trump canceled the visit that was planned for Tuesday. In a statement released by the White House, Trump referenced the ongoing national anthem issue and debate, and said that he will hold "a different type of ceremony" to celebrate America for the 1,000 fans who planned to attend the event. "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." This is the second time in the past year that Trump has rescinded a White House invitation for a major professional sports team. In September, Trump withdrew the Golden State Warriors' invitation after he saw the team hesitate to decide if they'd attend the celebratory visit. It's no secret that many members of the Eagles oppose Trump and his policies. Before and after beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl, players like Chris Long, Torrey Smith, Malcolm Jenkins, and LeGarrette Blount indicated that they would pass on the trip. In April, it was reported that the Eagles were discussing a possible visit with the White House, but hadn't committed to going. In May, the two sides finally scheduled the visit for June 5. June 5 is Tuesday. So, Trump cancelled on the Eagles the night before the visit. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported that the team learned about the cancellation via the president's statement. They did not get a heads up ahead of time. "A lot of people in the Eagles organization are very disappointed," a league source told ESPN. Based on the statement, Trump wasn't happy with the Eagles' decision to send less than their entire team. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to send a smaller contingent as a way to avoid putting his players in a difficult spot. Garafolo reported that the contingent visiting the White House would've consisted of fewer than 10 players. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, "a large group of Eagles players had decided not to attend, including most -- if not all -- of the black players." ESPN's report did say that Lurie and coach Doug Pederson were among those planning to attend. Smith, who now plays for the Panthers, criticized Trump's statement, calling it "so many lies." On Twitter, Smith wrote that (1) not many players were going to attend the visit anyway, (2) no one refused to go because of Trump's national anthem beliefs, and (3) Trump "continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military." He also characterized Trump's decision as "cowardly" and "foolish." So many lies smh Here are some facts 1. Not many people were going to go 2. No one refused to go simply because Trump “insists” folks stand for the anthem 3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military pic.twitter.com/89GUNhJ4eE — Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018 There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go. It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish — Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018 Meanwhile, Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania said he would skip the president's "political stunt." He also invited the Eagles to Congress. And Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney invited the Eagles to City Hall in a statement that criticized Trump. Kenney responded again on Tuesday morning. Via CBS Philly: "The Eagles call the birthplace of our democracy home, so it's no surprise that this team embodies everything that makes our country and our city great. Their athletic accomplishments on the field led to an historic victory this year. Fans all across the country rallied behind them because we like to root for the underdog and we feel joy when we see the underdogs finally win. I'm equally proud of the Eagles' activism off the field. These are players who stand up for the causes they believe in and who contribute in meaningful ways to their community. They represent the diversity of our nation—a nation in which we are free to express our opinions. Disinviting them from the White House only proves that our President is not a true patriot, but a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend. City Hall is always open for a celebration." Trump's conflict with NFL players -- not just the Eagles -- dates back to last September when he called for teams to cut players who refuse to stand for the national anthem. And all of this, of course, began the season prior when then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn't stand up during the national anthem as a way to protest racial injustice. NFL players have continued to protest during the national anthem while Kaepernick, who fulfilled his $1 million charity pledge, has been unable to find another job in the NFL. Last month, the NFL passed a new national anthem policy that requires all players to stand for the anthem. Players who do not wish to stand are allowed to stay in the locker room during the playing of the anthem. After the rule was passed, several players spoke out against it -- including Long. Trump, however, was mostly pleased by the new policy. "I think that's good," Trump said. "I don't think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still I think it's good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem. Or you shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country."<doc-sep>The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!<doc-sep>President Trump canceled an invitation to the White House for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, saying that “staying in the locker room for the playing of our National Anthem” was “disrespectful.” This explanation, however, makes no sense. No Eagles players ever stayed in the locker room during the national anthem, nor did any players kneel during the regular season or the playoffs. And when Fox News tried to pile on by showing footage of players it claimed were protesting during the national anthem, it backfired — because those players weren’t protesting; they were praying. Trump believes that NFL anthem protests are a winning issue for him; after all, culture war politics have served him well. The more the focus is on race and other identity issues, the better off he is. But conservatives are starting to reconsider their positions. Trump doesn’t like to be stood up On Tuesday evening, President Trump tweeted that he had canceled a planned visit by the Eagles to the White House because only a small number of players intended to come, adding that “staying in the locker room” for the national anthem was “disrespectful.” The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018 Originally, the names of 70 players were submitted to the White House for the event, but Eagles players were still deciding on whether to go (defensive end Chris Long would not attend, but quarterback Carson Wentz was planning to). After reportedly attempting to reschedule for when Trump would be in Singapore, the group that planned to be in attendance as of Monday morning would have included a few players and the team’s owner, Jeffrey Lurie. In 2017, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and more than two dozen other Patriots players skipped their White House visit — which went on as scheduled. In a statement, Trump said, “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.” Trump’s statement wasn’t true. No Eagles players kneeled during the season, nor did any stay in the locker room. If someone took a knee during those 16 games I missed it https://t.co/hzMz9VKQC2 — Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 5, 2018 Today’s White House visit has been rebranded as a celebration of America hosted by a president who described the United States as a “hellhole” in May 2015. We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018 Fox News picks up the ball, fumbles it immediately The controversy got worse when Fox News picked up the story. In a television segment on the White House visit cancellation, Fox News used B-roll footage of Eagles players kneeling before the anthem — but didn’t mention that the players featured were praying. Many Eagles players are Christians, and a group of players pray together before every game. In response, Zach Ertz, a tight end for the Eagles, tweeted that Fox News should be “better than this.” Ertz is among the players featured praying in the Fox News segment — he’s a devout Christian, and he and his teammates released a Bible study phone app on humility and surrender this past fall. This can’t be serious.... Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this... https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK — Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) June 5, 2018 Fox News eventually apologized, acknowledging in a statement to USA Today that no Eagles players ever kneeled in protest during the season in 2017: Update: In a statement provided to @usatodaysports, Fox News apologizes for using footage of Eagles players praying in its segment. pic.twitter.com/mGyir1f5dU — Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) June 5, 2018 Starting to lose on a winning issue Reportedly, Trump told Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that the national anthem protests were “a very winning, strong issue for [him],” and the NFL has repeatedly tried to sate the president’s anger on the subject, including banning players from kneeling in protest during the anthem at all earlier this spring. But the brouhaha over the Eagles’ White House visit appears to have backfired on Trump, including among conservative commentators and GOP members of Congress. Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Ryan Costello tweeted that Trump handled the situation “poorly”: Eagles my fave team. Super Bowl win so meaningful as Philly sports fan. POTUS handled poorly. This is a depressing commentary on our political culture, very deflating to me. Was really excited for today. As a fan who bleeds green. Not going to WH. Disappointed in all of this. https://t.co/YfgBQjzFgB — Ryan Costello (@RyanCostello) June 5, 2018 Conservative magazine columnist Jonah Goldberg called Trump’s statements “deceitful propaganda”: The attempt to make the Eagles event cancellation about the national anthem is just a complete act of deceitful propaganda and conservatives should have zero to do with it. If that was the issue, why schedule the event in the first place? Also: None of them kneeled. Shameful. — Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) June 5, 2018 And RedState contributor Jim Jamitis pointed out the bad optics of excitedly planning a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while denigrating NFL players: Our president is enthusiastically planning a meeting with a guy who fed his uncle to starving dogs but cancels a photo op because football players hurt his feelings. — Jim "Jim" Jamitis (@anthropocon) June 5, 2018 Trump may have thought that his favorite pet peeve — national anthem protests in the NFL — would continue to win him support. This time, he may have thought wrong. In an email, a White House spokesperson asked that I include their updated statement in this article. In the statement, the White House alleges that the Philadelphia Eagles “decided to abandon their fans” by not attending the White House celebration.<doc-sep>
WASHINGTON — Crowd size still matters to President Donald Trump. He rescinded his invitation for the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles to visit the White House after learning that only a “tiny handful” of the team’s representatives planned to attend, according to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. “In other words, the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans,” she said Tuesday in a statement providing more context on the decision, which was announced by Trump Monday evening. Sanders' explanation differed significantly from the one Trump offered a day earlier, when he rhetorically wrapped himself in the American flag to draw a contrast with professional athletes who kneel during the national anthem. "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," Trump said in a statement. "The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better." The problem: None of the Eagles took a knee last year. But the president has long sought political advantage in waging a sustained campaign against players who do not stand for the anthem, which has exacerbated cultural divisions in the country and turned many of the nation’s top players against him. On Tuesday, Sanders accused the Eagles of pulling a "political stunt" by trying to reschedule at the last minute and offering new dates on which it was widely known that the president would be traveling. And, though she had drawn attention to the fact that the Eagles were sending a small delegation in her own statement explaining the White House assessment leading up to the cancellation, Sanders told reporters that the president's position on the anthem "has been clear." Instead of canceling Tuesday’s White House event altogether, Trump decided to invite fans to come to celebrate the flag. About 50 U.S. flags were set up on the South Lawn of the White House, and the “president’s own” Marine Corps played patriotic standards, including the national anthem and Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." When the White House learned only a handful of Eagles planned to take President Trump up on the invitation, they rescinded it. Timothy A. Clary / AFP - Getty Images file Trump shared his reasons for standing during the anthem. "We love our country. We respect our flag. We always proudly stand for the national anthem," he said. "We stand to honor our military, and to honor our country and to remember the fallen heroes who never made it back home." Then, citing economic data, he said the country is in the best shape it has ever been in. During the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," an unidentified man knelt, according to video posted to Twitter by Carina Bergfeldt of Swedish news outlet SVT. When it was over, he applauded the band. While none of the Eagles players joined NFL compatriots in refusing to stand last season, some found other ways to demonstrate their solidarity with players who sought to draw attention to what they say is police mistreatment of African-American suspects. After intense pressure from Trump, the NFL announced last month that it would fine players who don’t stand for the national anthem if they are on the field when it is played. But the policy allows them to stay in the locker room during performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner.” Trump said Tuesday that there’s no difference in his mind. “Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!” he tweeted. Sanders said the Eagles gave the White House a list of 81 members of the organization — players, coaches and other personnel — who planned to attend. But as the event drew closer, it became clear few players would be at the White House. “The White House, despite sensing a lack of good faith, nonetheless attempted to work with the Eagles over the weekend to change the event format that could accommodate a smaller group of players,” she said. “Unfortunately, the Eagles offered to send only a tiny handful of representatives, while making clear that the great majority of players would not attend the event, despite planning to be in D.C. today.” Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., slammed the president for pulling the invitation to the Eagles personnel who planned to attend.