More good news for Philadelphia Eagles’ fans on Monday as Birds’ superstar Saquon Barkley reiterated his focus on one objective this season: helping the Eagles repeat as Super Bowl champions. So when his name popped up on President Donald Trump’s newly reestablished President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, Barkley was caught off guard and said he was “shocked” to see his name included on the list.
Shocked But Not Fazed
Among the roughly 30 prominent athletes in the council’s launch announcement, Barkley told reporters on Monday, that he and his team had actually declined the invitation months earlier, citing time constraints and his continued committment to his team and helping them win it all again.
“A couple months ago it was brought to my team… 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.”
The Backlash Over Golf and Plane Rides
Earlier in the offseason, Barkley stirred controversy after golfing at Bedminster, New Jersey with President Trump and for hopping a ride on Air Force One that was boarding for the Eagles’ White House visit last April. It allowed critics to question his political leanings. Barkley pushed back via social media:
“Lol some people are really upset cause I played golf and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT… 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!”
He emphasized these interactions were expressions of respect, not political endorsements.
What the Council Would Have Required
Presiden’t Trump’s executive order signed on July 31, 2025, officially revived the Presidential Fitness Test and formed the council to spearhead youth fitness programming, physical education recognition, and reform in college athletics, including transfer portal policies and athlete eligibility standards.
While structure levels haven’t been fully disclosed, serving on such a council would likely involve:
- Quarterly or periodic advisory meetings
- Public engagement—speaking at schools or youth fitness events
- Participating in policy or program development sessions tied to national fitness initiatives
For Barkley, who expects to be immersed in training, game prep, recovery, team meetings, and post Super Bowl obligations, any consistent time demand was enough to rule out involvement.
Barkley All-In On Eagles
Barkley signed a team-record contract extension in March 2025, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history and signaling he’s putting his full focus on football. His decision to turn down the council highlights his mindset – total committment to the team and the team goal.
He declined to serve on Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition months before learning his name had been included without consent. Following backlash over his interactions with President Trump earlier this year, Barkley clarified that his decisions were non‑political, rooted in respect for the office and a desire to protect his focus on football. That’s a win-win for the Eagles if youre keeping score at home.
Was It a Strong-Arm Tactic by Trump?
There’s no official confirmation that Donald Trump’s team intentionally “strong-armed” Barkley by publicly naming him to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition without his consent for obvious reasons but the optics strongly suggest one of two possibilities:
1. Administrative Error or Miscommunication
It’s possible that someone in Trump’s orbit assumed verbal interest or failed to confirm a final answer from Barkley’s team and included him prematurely. But Barkley says he explicitly declined the offer months ago. If true, that seemingly removes the “gray area” or just underlines one of the biggest problems in this country – gross incompetence.
2. Calculated Pressure Move
This is where it gets a little interesting. Publicly listing a beloved, high-profile athlete like Saquon Barkley on an official presidential order without confirming his agreement could be interpreted as a soft power tactic:
- It puts Barkley in a tough position if he walks it back because now he has to publicly reject the President.
- It opens Barkley up to scrutiny or backlash either way: accept and face political criticism, or reject and risk appearing unpatriotic or resistance to duty.
- It could create the impression that President Trump had Barkley’s support, even if he didn’t.
It’s not exactly “strong-arming” in the legal sense, but it is a form of public leverage and/or manipulation, especially with someone as visible as Barkley, who’s already dealing with politically tinged backlash after golfing with President Trump and bumming a ride on Air Force One.
Barkley Didn’t Flinch
Rather than quietly let it go or feel guilted into accepting, Barkley clarified:
“I was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned… Me and my family thought it would probably be of best interest to not accept that.”
He stood firm, didn’t politicize the moment, and protected his boundaries, both publicly and professionally. That takes some serious confidence. I guess that’s what rushing for 2,504 yards in a single season will do for you.
