Jalen Hurts Skips White House Visit: Donovan McNabb Backs Eagles Star’s Bold Choice
Sarah Johnson
June 7, 2025
Brief
Jalen Hurts skips Eagles’ White House visit, sparking debate; Donovan McNabb supports his ‘grown man decision’ amid Super Bowl focus.
In a move that has sparked both debate and curiosity, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts opted out of the team’s celebratory White House visit in April. While several teammates, including AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, also skipped the event, Hurts’ absence as the face of the franchise drew significant attention. Addressing the buzz, Hurts simply stated he "wasn’t available"—a comment that left room for speculation.
Enter former Eagles legend Donovan McNabb, who has mentored Hurts since his arrival in Philly. In a candid chat, McNabb threw his full support behind Hurts’ choice, calling it a "grown man decision." He emphasized that Hurts’ focus remains on gearing up for another Super Bowl run, not on ceremonial optics. McNabb even admitted he’d have made the same call if he were in Hurts’ cleats.
Adding fuel to the conversation, Hurts was spotted at the glitzy Met Gala just a week after missing the White House event—a contrast that raised eyebrows among fans. Meanwhile, the majority of the Eagles roster, including star running back Saquon Barkley, did attend the White House celebration alongside President Trump and his daughter Ivanka. McNabb, ever the diplomat, noted that every player’s decision is personal, whether to attend or not, and the real goal is getting back to that championship stage—and perhaps another White House invite.
This isn’t the first time the Eagles have navigated White House drama. Back in 2018, after their Super Bowl win, the team collectively declined a visit due to tensions over national anthem protests, prompting Trump to rescind the invitation. Personal choices in the spotlight aren’t new in sports either—just look at Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, who skipped a White House visit in 2019 but attended this year to celebrate the World Series.
At the end of the day, whether it’s a gala or a gridiron, these athletes are making choices that reflect their priorities. And if McNabb’s right, Hurts is already laser-focused on the next big win.
Topics
Editor's Comments
Well, folks, Jalen Hurts skipping the White House visit is a play straight out of the ‘I’ve got better things to do’ playbook. Can’t help but chuckle imagining him at the Met Gala instead, probably thinking, ‘Why shake hands in D.C. when I can strut in NYC?’ And McNabb backing him up? That’s like a coach saying, ‘Skip the pep rally, just win the game.’ Truth is, while everyone’s debating optics, Hurts is likely just dodging distractions—because nothing says ‘Super Bowl focus’ like avoiding a political photo op!
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.
