Saquon Barkley ‘shocked’ to hear name on Trump’s sports council after turning it down

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he did not accept President Donald Trump’s invitation to serve on his council on sports, fitness and nutrition as part of the newly signed executive order to to restore youth physical fitness across the United States.

Barkley told reporters after Monday’s practice that he was “shocked” to find out that his name was mentioned, and that he declined the opportunity after speaking with his family.

“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.”

Trump signed the executive order on July 31, was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as American athletes including golfing greats Bryson DeChambeau and Annika Sörenstam, NFL icon Lawrence Taylor, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and WWE’s Triple H.

It comes a few months after Barkley hung out with Trump at the National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey and flew with Trump back to Washington D.C., on Marine One.

He spent time with the president a day before the team’s April 28 visit to the White House to commemorate their 40-22 rout of the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Barkley addressed backlash he received at the time, saying he respects Trump.

“lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,” Barkley wrote on X. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand.”