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Super Bowl champion retired NFL player Malcolm Jenkins, one of the Philadelphia Eagles, refused to celebrate his victory at the White House in 2018 with President Donald Trump, calling Jalen's decision because he decided to skip the ceremony.
Hurts decided to abandon Washington's championship celebrations to determine "arrange the conflict." The question of attending the ceremony at the Time100 Gala last week had more silence than he said.
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Honoree Jalen Hurts attended the Time100 Gala to celebrate the 100 most influential people in the world on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at the Jazz Frederick P. Rose Hall in Lincoln Center, New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jenkins wrote in an alternative article that if the injury could be reviewed in the decision, he would elevate himself to more than just an NFL player.
"He consolidated himself as a selfless leader, willing to take risks to comfort his values," Jenkins wrote. "He strengthened his integrity and cultural capital with few athletes' achievements. He showed the next generation the appearance of principle - not just for applause. He joined a tradition of using their peaks to push dialogue forward rather than shy away from them."
Jenkins made it clear that “leadership is always optional” and skipping the White House will raise its own set of questions, from public and media censorship to potential locker room departments.
Philadelphia Eagles’ strong safety Malcolm Jenkins played NFL football game with New Orleans Saints on November 18, 2018, warming up before the NFL football game. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, file)
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"Today's leadership is more than just leading a team," Jenkins added. "It's about having a conversation.
The former defensive back also spoke about Saquon Barkley's decision to spend a day with Trump ahead of the White House celebrations.
President Donald Trump left to talk to Philadelphia Eagles footballer Saquon Barkley before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Morristown, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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"It was disappointing to say the least, but I understand respect is two-way," Jenkins wrote. "Everyone has to go his own way. But in an era like this, neutrality is not neutrality. Even silence becomes a statement."
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