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Donald Trump has big praise for Saquon Barkley in Eagles’ White House visit
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- Donald Trump has big praise for Saquon Barkley in Eagles’ White House visit
donald trump eagles white house saquon barkley
Donald Trump says he tried to warn the Giants.
On Monday, the President feted the Big Blue rival Eagles for their 2025 Super Bowl win at the White House, singling out running back Saquon Barkley , who left the Giants for Philadelphia as a free agent.
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"I was with the Giants and the head coach and some people and I said, 'Do anything you have to, but don't lose Saquon.'" Trump said. "They lost Saquon. That was not good. I called that one. That was an easy one to call because he played damn well for the Giants, I can tell you that."
The quip — later refuted by the Giants — drew a smile from Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
President Donald Trump holds up a signed helmet Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (L) during an event celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles, 2025 Super Bowl champions, at the White House on April 28, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
After being unable to come to an agreement with the Giants, Barkley inked a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles and paid immediate dividends: In 16 regular season games, he rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 278 receiving yards and a pair of scores through the air in one of the best campaigns ever for a running back.
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When it came to the postseason, the 28-year-old posted 499 rushing yards with five touchdowns — 124.8 yards per game — to power Philly to its second Super Bowl in eight years.
The Eagles didn't get a chance to celebrate their 2018 title at the White House as Trump canceled the visit over a dispute with players kneeling during the national anthem . On Monday, they did bring both the franchise's Lombardi Trophies for the festivities.
President Donald Trump greets Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley at an event welcoming the 2025 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on the South Lawn of the White House. Getty Images
The head of security for the Philadelphia Eagles Dom DiSandro, also known as "Big Dom", (R) gestures toward President Donald Trump (L) as he speaks during an event celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles, 2025 Super Bowl champions. AFP via Getty Images
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and tackle Lane Johnson escorted Trump out for the ceremony, which was attended by an estimated 30 players among other team personnel.
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Among them was the "Big Dom" DiSandro, the Eagles' head of security , who was the first member of the team invited to speak by Trump — who revealed DiSandro to be a fan of his, and to whom he gifted an autographed MAGA hat.
"Thank you President Trump," DiSandro offered, "and Go Birds."
Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni, left, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson stand next to President Donald Trump as he honors the Super Bowl 2025 champion Philadelphia Eagles. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Trump heaped plenty of praise on Barkley, with whom he golfed over the weekend .
"He's a handsome guy," Trump said of the star running back. "I offered him a ride. And he loved it. He is a great young guy and an incredible football player."
The President also lauded Roseman — to great applause from the crowd — as well as Sirianni.
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"Nick proved the doubters wrong and brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to Philadelphia, and convincingly," he said.
Detail of helmet held by Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni as President Donald Trump honors the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles at The White House. Josh Morgan-USA TODAY via Imagn Images
The day was not without its controversial topics, however. With chatter around the NFL growing to potentially ban the "tush-push," a short-yardage play the Eagles have seemingly perfected, Trump backed its inclusion in the NFL.
"They're talking about getting rid of the play, I understand — they should keep it," he said, to an enthusiastic response from Barkley. "I like it. It's sort of exciting and different.
"I would like to see something, I would like to go back to the regular kick-off, however. We don't like that kick-off where nobody is moving, the ball is in the air, nobody is moving and I want to ask the coach or Lane or any of the people about that… but as a fan, I don't know."
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One of the main components of the Tush Push, QB and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts , did not attend the gathering , citing "scheduling conflicts."
Also missing on the day were receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith , as well as CB Darius Slay , safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, defensive ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat , tackle Jalen Carter and linebacker Zack Baun , among others.
