I write not only as a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles but as someone who deeply admires the values this franchise upholds. From the community work of Malcolm Jenkins, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Chris Long and many others to the tireless efforts of Eagles players supporting Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations, this team has represented the city with honor, compassion and justice. That is precisely why I urge you to decline any invitation to the White House following your Super Bowl championship victory.
To attend would be to normalize the dangerous and destructive policies of …
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I write not only as a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles but as someone who deeply admires the values this franchise upholds. From the community work of Malcolm Jenkins, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Chris Long and many others to the tireless efforts of Eagles players supporting Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations, this team has represented the city with honor, compassion and justice. That is precisely why I urge you to decline any invitation to the White House following your Super Bowl championship victory.
To attend would be to normalize the dangerous and destructive policies of the current Trump administration — an administration that has actively worked against the very people who make up the Eagles' fanbase. Philadelphia is a city built by immigrants, yet this administration has relentlessly targeted not only undocumented individuals but also legal immigrants who have followed every law and requirement in pursuit of the American dream. The city of Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and the birthplace of American democracy, stands in direct contrast to an administration that fosters division, xenophobia and an outright assault on immigrant communities.
Your players have donated to schools, worked with at-risk youth and advocated for criminal justice reform. To shake the hand of a president who has denigrated these same causes, who has attacked freedom of speech by demonizing athletes for their protests and who has used his power to undermine democracy itself, would be a betrayal of all that this team stands for.
The Philadelphia Eagles have an opportunity to send a message — not just to the league, but to the nation. You can choose to stand with the people of Philadelphia, the underrepresented, the hardworking and the oppressed. Or you can choose to lend legitimacy to an administration that actively works against them.
Please, stay true to the legacy of this city and the values this team represents. Decline the White House invitation. Continue to be a beacon of integrity and hope for the people of Philadelphia and beyond.
Stephen Heverin
Oreland, Pa.
