Report: Fewer than 10 Eagles had planned to visit White House
New information has emerged regarding the Philadelphia Eagles' canceled White House visit.
Following up his initial statement Monday, President Donald Trump cited "a small number of players" who'd decided to attend the ceremony as the primary reason for the cancellation.
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
But while some Eagles players were always expected to skip the customary Super Bowl champions' visit, there was apparently set to be an even smaller turnout than anticipated in Washington D.C.
Fewer than 10 Eagles players planned to attend the ceremony along with team owner Jeffrey Lurie, a team source told the Philadelphia Inquirer's Zach Berman.
The news coincides with a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who claimed that most - if not all - of the team's African-American players had decided not to attend, citing sources. Head coach Doug Pederson and his wife were planning on making the trip, according to Schefter.