Megyn Kelly sparked controversy online after she vehemently criticized the Philadelphia Eagles for allegedly planning to skip their visit to the White House following their recent Super Bowl victory. The Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 40-22, earning the franchise their second Super Bowl win. The incident has ignited discussions about political stances and sportsmanship.
Kelly's frustration became evident during her online exchanges, where she responded to claims made by various users on social media. One user, known as "Toxic Cowboy," lamented about supporting the Eagles after hearing about their supposed decision to decline the White House visit. He wrote, "Wish I had known this before the Super Bowl. I wouldn’t have wasted my time rooting for them. Eagles fan? Your team sucks," to which Kelly vocally agreed. "SAME. GO F YOURSELVES EAGLES. My husband is a fan so I got onboard but F this BS," she retorted.
Although Kelly's remarks were incisive, they came amid confusion surrounding whether the Eagles had officially rejected the White House invitation. The White House later clarified through unnamed sources, stating, "The Eagles have not rejected a White House invite. The reports on social media are fake news," prompting Kelly to temper her criticism by expressing hopes for the claims to be erroneous, writing, "Update: WH denies Eagles were asked and this news is from The Sun report about Eagles' alleged plans if asked. Could be (hopefully?) fake news!"
The conflicting reports ignited widespread speculation, with many fans taking to social media to express disappointment or support for the Eagles' supposed decision. While some echoed Kelly’s anger, expressing feelings of betrayal, others supported the team's stand against Trump, questioning why athletes should have to engage with politics. One fan stated, "When the NFL had to remove 'End Racism' from the field to appease Trump, and he still left early, it’s unclear why anyone expected the Eagles to attend."
Sources suggest internal discussions within the Eagles organization indicated they might decline to participate, reflecting their values centered around social justice, equality, and their relationship with political figures. An anonymous Eagles player had previously disclosed, "We represent a city and a state pushing for equal rights, respect, and values respecting every human being," emphasizing the importance of their stance against racism.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Eagles have navigated their relationship with the Trump administration. After their Super Bowl win in 2018, they turned down an invitation to the White House due to differing political beliefs, particularly Trump's stance on kneeling during the national anthem. At the time, the Eagles stated they disagreed with the president's insistence on standing for the anthem as it clashed with the values of respect, integrity, and equality they advocate.
Although many Eagles fans rallied behind Kelly, voicing their dismay over potential political affiliations dictacting their team's actions, others admonished them for tying sports to politics. One commenter wrote, "Sorry Eagles; you respect the office. No matter Republican or Democrat. Sad decision you will regret." Meanwhile, some fans expressed their relief, hoping the reports not to be true.
The Eagles have maintained their commitment to social justice, underlining their status as voices of change within sports, thanks to the leadership of owner Jeffrey Lurie, who has openly supported progressive causes. Lurie’s political stance often places him at odds with many other team owners within the NFL, likely leading to friction as social issues surface.
This dynamic paints the picture of how sports and politics can intertwine, particularly when teams like the Eagles, associated with activism, respond to the current political climate. Megyn Kelly's reaction and the ensuing discussions hinge on the delicate balance between sports fandom and personal beliefs, presenting broader societal questions about respect and representation.
With the White House failing to extend any official invitation, the future of this scenario remains uncertain, leaving fans to speculate about the Eagles' intentions. Kelly's outspokenness and the mixed reactions from social media users highlight the polarized political climate surrounding both sports and public figures today.