“Shocked” Saquon Barkley Declines President Donald Trump’s Invitation to Serve on Sports Council

Saquon Barkley declined Donald Trump's invitation to be on the fitness council because he would be too busy with his Eagles job.

“Shocked” Saquon Barkley Declines President Donald Trump’s Invitation to Serve on Sports Council

Saquon Barkley and Donald Trump (Image via IMAGO)

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Saquon Barkley’s commitment to making the Philadelphia Eagles back-to-back Super Bowl champions is so resolute that he doesn’t have the time to think about anything else. The reigning Offensive MVP even turned down Donald Trump’s proposal to join the Council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

According to a report from Tim McManus of ESPN, Barkley’s team received an offer from the White House about becoming a member of the President’s Fitness Council. However, after consulting with his family, Barkley decided to decline the offer.

A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council. So I’m not really too familiar with it. I felt like I am going to be super busy, so me and my family thought it would probably be of best interest to not accept that.

Saquon Barkley said

On July 31, Trump revealed the names of the council members: Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, golf star Bryson DeChambeau, WWE superstar Triple H, and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

Barkley was surprised to hear his name as part of the council.

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.

Barkley added

The 28-year-old created a lot of commotion when he joined Trump for a round of golf at his personal golf course after winning his first Super Bowl ring in February. Barkley later clarified that the visit did not signify anything other than a golf session.

Fans sensed tension when Barkley wasn’t part of the guest list at Jalen Hurts’ wedding. Barkley defended himself by claiming that their schedules did not align.

Saquon Barkley is ready to start the new season with a clean slate

The Eagles put a target on their back after getting the better of the Kansas City Chiefs in Louisiana to claim their second Lombardi Trophy in February. They are now the defending champions, but Barkley views the situation differently.

"Shocked" Saquon Barkley Declines President Donald Trump’s Invitation to Serve on Sports Council
Saquon Barkley (Image via IMAGO)

From his point of view, they will be starting with a clean slate, just like everyone else.

The next season has nothing to do with the year in the past. That’s why you come here. It starts in [OTAs], preparing ourselves in the offseason. Now in camp, it’s getting the team together to try to make another run.

Barkley said via NJ.com

Nobody will blame Barkley if he enjoyed the moment a bit longer. He gave one of the best running back performances in NFL history, recording 2,283 scrimmage yards. The numbers were so outrageous that they overshadowed Derrick Henry’s 1921 yards and league-best 16 rushing touchdowns.

Barkley is proud to have those statistics on his CV, but that’s all in the past. Fans will instantly stop talking about him if he doesn’t deliver in the new campaign as well.

I’m not a guy who’s going to walk around with it all the time. But it’s a beautiful thing that you have. Every single time you talk about that year, you’ll have something to show for it.

After playing six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley switched allegiance to sign with the Eagles. In his first season, he won the Super Bowl and signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension.

Barkley has played a total of 90 games, racking up 1546 rushes for 7216 yards and 48 touchdowns.

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