Nick Foles' White House RSVP Only One Among Eagles Players

Nick Foles, the Super Bowl most valuable player, was the only Philadelphia Eagles player confirmed to visit the White House for a ceremony with President Donald Trump before the plug was pulled, NFL.com reported. Two other Eagles were down as possibilities.

NFL.com's Mike Garafolo said the team wanted to just send "representatives" to the White House, including Foles, because so many Eagles had decided to skip the visit with Trump. Garafolo said two other unnamed players were considering attending as well.

Trump announced on Monday that he canceled the Super Bowl champions' visit, citing so few players planning to appear, while mentioning the NFL's decision to allow players to stay in the locker room for the national anthem as a solution to its two-year kneeling protest during the Star-Spangled Banner.

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

The White House followed with a statement posted on Twitter that blamed the Eagles organization for the cancellation. The White House claimed it was told that 81 players and team personnel would participate in ceremony on May 31.

"In other words, the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans," the statement said.

Garafolo reported the 81 names came from a list the Eagles submitted for security clearances, in case individuals decided to attend, and were not confirmations.

Trump instead held an event with Eagles fans, with the national anthem being played with performances by United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus.

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

At least two guests at the substitute event opted to take a knee as the “Star Spangled Banner” rang out across the South Lawn of the White House, Fox News reported.

The Eagles cancelation continues a long-running conflict Trump has with the NFL about some players kneeling for the national anthem, a silent protest started two years ago by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for alleged police brutality against African-Americans.

Last month, the NFL approved a new policy requiring players to stand for the national anthem before the start of games, giving them the option of staying in the locker room if they wished not to stand, ESPN reported.

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