Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has politely passed on President Donald Trump’s offer to join his newly established Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
Speaking to reporters after practice at the NovaCare Complex, Barkley explained that while the opportunity was presented to his team months ago, he ultimately decided not to accept.
“A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council. So I’m not really too familiar with it,” Barkley said. “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. 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.”
On July 31, Trump signed an executive order creating the council, which will advise the president on ways to promote sports, fitness, and nutrition nationwide. The panel’s mission includes developing school-based programs to reward excellence in physical education, setting fitness goals for young Americans, and even exploring a revival of the Presidential Fitness Test many grew up with.
The council can have up to 30 members. Alongside Barkley, Trump announced a list of notable names, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, fellow NFL stars Nick Bosa, Tua Tagovailoa, and Harrison Butker, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, hockey icon Wayne Gretzky, and LIV Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau.
Barkley’s connection to Trump isn’t brand new. Before the Eagles’ White House visit in April to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win, Barkley played a round of golf with Trump at the National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey and even flew back to Washington with him aboard Marine One.
That appearance drew some online criticism, which Barkley brushed off by pointing out his willingness to connect with leaders on both sides of the political spectrum. Just last October, he hit the links with former President Barack Obama at Merion Golf Club.
