People are still talking about which Eagles players decided to visit the White House Monday to meet President Donald Trump and celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win. Running back Saquon Barkley was there, but quarterback Jalen Hurts did not.
The conversation on social media has escalated to name-calling and anger directed toward both players about their decisions, and a former Eagles player went on television to ask that the rhetoric be toned down.
On Tuesday’s episode of FS1’s “The Facility,” former Eagle and current analyst Emmanuel Acho said the intense scrutiny of Barkley’s decision to golf with the president and Hurts opting not to attend the event is being overblown.
“I got no issue with Hurts skipping the White House visit for a couple reasons,” Acho said. “Number one, I think Hurts is cognizant of the social repercussions of him attending the White House. I think he’s also cognizant of the cultural repercussions.”
“For those that are unaware of the cognition that I’m referring to, Saquon golfing with President Trump, and now on social media, they’re calling him Slavequon,” Acho continued. “I hate the amount of venom that is occurring for the players who don’t go, like Jalen Hurts, and the players who do go, the Saquon Barkleys.”
Acho described Barkley as “great” as a partner, father and leader by all accounts. However, he criticized Barkley for his social media response Sunday when he defended going on a golf outing with Trump in Bedminster.
“Saquon, you can’t act ignorant to the repercussions that are awaiting you, you can’t act ignorant to that,” Acho said. “There are some people who feel very passionately, and they will let you know.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at [email protected].