Saquon Barkley Declines Trump’s Invitation to Presidential Council
Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has declined former President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his council on sports, fitness, and nutrition. The news, revealed this Monday, surprised the player.On July 31st, former President Trump signed an executive order to establish the council, whose mission is to advise the president and recommend actions in various areas. These include challenges and school programs that reward excellence in physical education, fitness goals for American youth with the aim of fostering a new generation of healthy and active citizens, and strategies to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test. The council will be composed of up to 30 members, according to the executive order. During a press conference to announce the order, former President Trump named Barkley as a member of the council, along with figures such as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and other American football players. Before the Eagles’ visit to the White House in April to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, Barkley spent time with Trump at the National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey and flew with him back to Washington D.C. on Marine One. Barkley also played golf with former President Barack Obama at Merion Golf Club in October.“A couple of months ago, my team was contacted about the advice. I’m not very familiar with it,” Barkley stated after a training session at the NovaCare facility. “I felt like I would be very busy, so my family and I thought it would be best not to accept. I was a little surprised that they mentioned my name. I assume it’s a good thing, so I appreciate it, but I was a little surprised.”
Saquon Barkley
