Eagles star Malcolm Jenkins: No White House visit for Piscataway native

A day after delivering the Super Bowl's biggest hit, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins tackled a big question: Would he visit the White House after Sunday's victory?

"No, I personally do not anticipate attending that," Jenkins, a Piscataway High School graduate, told CNN Monday morning.

Asked on CNN's "New Day" if he had a message for President Trump, Jenkins replied. "I don’t have a message for the president.”

But Jenkins, who has been at the forefront of social activism among NFL players, explained the message he's been trying to send since former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick created an uproar by kneeling during the national anthem (see a recent soundbite in the above video).

“My message has been clear all year," he told CNN. "I’m about creating positive change in the communities that I come from, whether it’s in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana or this entire country. I want to see change in our criminal justice system, I want to push for economical and educational advancement in communities of color and low-income communities, and I want relationships between our communities and law enforcement to be advanced. That’s what myself and my peers have been pushing for over the last two years and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”

Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler offered a forceful defense of Jenkins' decision.

“Donald Trump’s record on the rule of law and civil rights has been abhorrent," Wahler, a Democrat, told USA Today Network – New Jersey. "Throughout this past football season, Trump has done nothing but denigrate the professional athletes and ruthlessly criticize the NFL for his own despicable public relations stunts.

"I do not know why any NFL player would want to go into this White House and provide this president with a celebratory platform. I wish Malcolm many wonderful celebrations of his second Super Bowl win far away from Donald Trump.”

Staff writer Suzanne Russell contributed.

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.