President Donald Trump didn’t want to play with the Philadelphia Eagles,??? ?? ???? anyway. He canceled the White House visit from the Super Bowl champs — after most of the team said they weren’t going to show up.
The sudden, perplexing cancellation follows a proposed boycott from some members of the team over the president's insistence that players and coaches stand during the national anthem.
SEE ALSO: Trump's tweet about pardoning himself inspired some relatable parodiesAccording to The New York Times, White House officials noted that fewer than 10 team members were locked in to attend the event on the South Lawn on Tuesday. So, Trump decided to ditch the whole thing.
"The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow," said a statement issued by Trump.
"They disagree with the President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country."
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Trump's statement says the Eagles "wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better." The fans will still be invited to attend the White House event, but ... wait for it ... for a "different type of ceremony."
Trump states the event will take place at the White House at 3 p.m. on June 5, with the U.S. Marine Band and the U.S. Army Chorus to "celebrate America." The event will be "one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem."
Former Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith, who publicly said he wouldn't visit the White House when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, hit back at the president on Twitter.
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Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia issued a statement in support of the Eagles, saying that if the White House was going to disinvite the team, City Hall was "always open for a celebration."
"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," he wrote.
"[The Eagles'] athletic accomplishments on the field led to an historic victory this year ... 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."
Pennsylvania lawmakers have now invited the Eagles to visit the Capitol following Trump's snub, reports The Hill.
Rep. Brendan Boyle tweeted that he would have a big cup of Joe waiting for the team.
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The Philadelphia Eagles are yet to issue an official statement about Trump's announcement, and Mashable has reached out for comment.
The team's most recent tweet is a pretty neutral message about its Super Bowl victory.
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Maybe the Eagles can reach out to the Golden State Warriors for advice on what to do when the president starts a petty feud with you.
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