The White House issued a statement on Monday appearing to cancel Tuesday’s planned visit by the Philadelphia Eagles to celebrate their Super Bowl victory.

Trump has just issued this statement about the Philadelphia Eagles' visit tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/ERm042RzwS — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) June 4, 2018





“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their 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. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony — 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. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.”

Trump later tweeted from his personal account confirming that the event had been canceled while saying that staying in the locker room during the national anthem is disrespectful.

View photos The White House announced on Monday that Donald Trump has invited fans to honor “our military” as an alternative to a visit from the Super Bowl champion Eagles. (AP) More

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





‘Most — if not all — of the black players’ planned to skip White House visit

NFL Network reported that the Eagles had planned to send a smaller contingent to avoid putting players “in a tough spot” prior to the cancelation.

The Eagles held meetings with their players in recent weeks and, according to sources, Jeff Lurie didn't want to put the players in a tough spot so he decided to send a smaller contingent. Other players were going to have an optional day at the facility. Now, no trip to D.C. — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 4, 2018





ESPN reports that “most — if not all — of the black players” from the Eagles planned to not attend the White House ceremony. The network also reports that the team did not learn of the cancelation until the White House release and that owner Jeffrey Lurie had planned to attend.

Eagles players critical of new NFL anthem policy

Some Philadelphia Eagles players have been outspoken about the NFL’s new national anthem policy requiring players on the field to stand at attention.

Several NFL players have used the platform of the national anthem to stage social justice protests centered around racial inequality and police brutality in the United States.

Defensive back Malcolm Jenkins criticized the owners’ decision to “thwart the players’ constitutional rights to express themselves” in the wake of the new policy.

Defensive end Chris Long criticized owners for being “afraid of the President” when they changed the anthem policy. Long has been supportive of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has not received a new NFL contract since taking a knee during the anthem during the 2016 NFL season.

View photos Chris Long, left, and Malcolm Jenkins, center, were among the Eagles players planning to skip the team’s scheduled White House visit. (AP) More