NFL Champions Decline White House Visit

Posted on 02/19/26 at 14:29

The Seattle Seahawks, recent champions of the National Football League (NFL), will not attend the traditional White House visit following their Super Bowl win.

The Washington-based franchise has declined the presidential invitation, distancing itself from President Donald Trump.

The decision recalls similar episodes in recent years and once again places professional American sports at the center of political debate.

Seattle, a Democratic Stronghold

Although the team has not issued an explicit political statement, the state’s broader context is significant. Washington is widely considered a Democratic stronghold.

In the most recent presidential election, Kamala Harris received 58.6% of the vote in the state, compared to 39% for Trump.

The Republican Party has not won Washington since 1988, when Ronald Reagan carried the state. Seattle, in particular, maintains a strong Democratic lean.

In that political climate, an official photograph with the president could have generated discomfort among part of the fan base and possibly within the locker room itself.

Not the First NFL Champions to Say “No”

The Seahawks’ refusal adds to a growing list of teams and athletes who have declined White House invitations in recent years.

In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles declined their visit after winning the Super Bowl.

A year earlier, the Golden State Warriors, NBA champions at the time, also refused to attend amid controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick and national anthem protests.

In 2019, Megan Rapinoe publicly announced she would not attend the White House if invited following the U.S. women’s national team’s World Cup victory.

Official Silence, Firm Decision

So far, the Seahawks have not released a formal statement detailing the reasons behind their decision, though further clarification may come in the coming weeks.

For the president, hosting the Super Bowl champions is one of the most symbolic ceremonial events on the American sports calendar.

The team’s refusal marks another chapter in the often tense relationship between politics and professional sports in the United States.

With their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, the Seahawks will celebrate their championship away from Washington, D.C., keeping the focus on the field and skipping the traditional White House photo opportunity.

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