NEED TO KNOW
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Saquon Barkley initially declined an invite to sit on President Trump’s national sports council
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The Eagles star told reporters on Monday, Aug. 4 that he was “shocked’ to see his name in the announcement of council members
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Barkley previously played golf with Trump, and received pushback on social media for doing so
It’s news to Saquon Barkley that he’s a member of President Trump’s council on sports, fitness and nutrition.
The Philadelphia Eagles star told reporters on Monday, Aug. 4 that he was “shocked” to see his name attached to a list of athletes and other sports figures who are on the council, which was created after Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, July 31.
“A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council,” Barkley, 28, said after practice at Eagles training camp. “So I’m not really too familiar with it.”
He added, “I felt like I am going to be super busy, so me and my family thought it would probably be in my best interest to not accept that. I was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned. I’m assuming it’s something great, so I appreciate it but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned.”
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
Trump hosted Eagles star Saquon Barkley at his Bedminster, N.J. golf course in April.
Barkley’s name appeared alongside other current and former NFL players including Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and retired Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Colts offensive guard Cody Campbell.
LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau and LPGA star Nelly Korda and retired golfers Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Annika Sörenstsam are also on the council, which includes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Former and current hockey stars Wayne Gretzky and Matthew Tkachuk, plus MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera made the cut, as did former WWE wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
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According to a White House press release, the commission “will create school-based programs to reward excellence in physical education and support the development of a Presidential Fitness Award” and “will also play an important role in restoring tradition to college athletics, including reforming the broken transfer portal and keeping men out of women’s sports.”
Barkley has been criticized for his relationship with Trump prior to this announcement, and in April, pushed back on social media after he was seen with the president at his Bedminster, N.J. golf club and on Air Force One.
Last season’s rushing leader encouraged his followers on X to “get out of my mentions with all this politics” after his social media pages filled with comments from fans calling him out for his actions on Monday, April 28.
“Lol some people are really upset cause I played golf and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,” Barkley wrote. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago…and look forward to finishing my round with Trump!”
Later that day, Barkley was praised by Trump as he and a portion of the Eagles visited the White House to celebrate their 2025 Super Bowl win. Around a dozen players, including MVP and quarterback Jalen Hurts, declined to attend.
Read the original article on People
