Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney branded President Trump a ‘fragile egomaniac’ after the Commander-in-Chief called off the Eagles’ White House reception to celebrate their Super Bowl win.
Trump called off the White House visit Monday, because several members of the team were planning on skipping the event due to the president’s condemnation of the NFL kneeling protests.
The White House said in a statement that some members of the Super Bowl championship team ‘disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart’.
‘The 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better,’ the statement said, referring to the small delegation of less than 10 players that the team planned to send.
In a statement issued Monday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said Trump’s decision to cancel the event proves that the ‘President is not a true patriot’.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (left) branded President Trump (right) a ‘fragile egomaniac’ after the Commander-in-Chief called off the Eagles’ White House reception to celebrate their Super Bowl win.
‘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,’ Kennedy said.
Malcolm Jenkins #27 and Ron Brooks #33 of the Eagles raise their fists in protest during the national anthem before a game last year. The team has been disinvited from the White House
Twisting the knife on Tuesday, the White House replaced the football reception with a patriotic ‘Celebration of America,’ featuring the U.S. Marine Corps band and the Army Chorus.
‘We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M.’ Trump tweeted.
‘Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!’
In a followup message, he pointed out that the Eagles have been the only high-profile team to decline his invitation in large numbers.
‘We have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others,’ he wrote.
‘National Anthem & more great music today at 3:00 P.M.’
Trump announced Tuesday morning that the White house would be holding another celebration instead of the Eagles’ reception
Trump similarly withdrew a White House invitation from the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors team, after star Steph Curry publicly said he was not in favor of attending.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about what had sparked the decision on the Eagles. The Eagles did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
The NFL recently announced a new policy requiring players to stand for the anthem if they’re on the field before a game, subjecting teams to fines for violations but allowing players to remain off the field for the anthem if they choose.
Trump took a swipe at the new policy in a tweet about cancelling the Eagles’ visit, writing: ‘Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!’
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, right, hands the Vincent Lombardi trophy to Nick Foles after winning Super Bowl LII
Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles, left, and the team celebrate in the Super Bowl Victory Parade in February. The team will not be invited to the White House after fallout over the anthem
The issue became a flashpoint during the 2017 season after Trump suggested that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired.
Last year, no Eagles players kneeled during the anthem before a regular season game, according to an analysis by SportsPundit.
However, Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks did kneel for the anthem in at least two preseason games. He was released in August before the regular season began.
Eagles players did make various standing protests during the anthem, including raised fists, in 73 instances last regular season, SportsPundit found.
Trump has repeatedly stoked the issue, saying the NFL should fire any players who kneel during the anthem. During an interview after the new policy was announced, Trump praised the league for doing ‘the right thing.’
‘You have to stand proudly for the national anthem,’ Trump said. Or ‘you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe they shouldn’t be in the country.’
The Philadelphia Eagles championship team walks down the Art Museum Steps as hundreds of thousands filled the Parkway in Philadelphia in February to celebrate Super Bowl LII
Several members of the Eagles have voiced staunch opposition to the NFL’s new anthem policy.
‘This is a fear of the diminished bottom line,’ defensive end Chris Long said last month after the NFL announced its new policy.
‘It’s also fear of a president turning his base against a corporation. This is not patriotism. Don’t get it confused. These owners don’t love America more than the players demonstrating and taking real action to improve it.’
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is among the outspoken players have also vowed to carry on the cause.
‘I will not let it silence me or stop me from fighting,’ he said recently. ‘This has never been about taking a knee, raising a fist or anyone’s patriotism, but doing what we can to effect real change for real people.’