Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he can understand the backlash he received for golfing with President Donald Trump and flying on Air Force One, but maintained that athletes are in a no-win situation when it comes to politics.
Barkley, who spent a day with Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course in April 2025, defended his actions at the time, posting on X that he "just respect the office." He noted that he had also golfed with former President Barack Obama and looked forward to finishing his round with Trump.
"You're not going to win," Barkley told Fox News Digital in a recent interview, reflecting on the experience. "I played golf with the president of the United States of America, Mr. Trump, and I played with Barack Obama, and the one day I play with Trump, all these crazy things were said about me, and now I'm this person, I'm that person, and I don't align – some of the stuff that I don't even align with."
Barkley acknowledged that the criticism was significant but stated he believes the accusations against him were untrue. "Just because, you know, I don't get into, like, you got to be this way or that way. Just because you played golf with the president of United States doesn't make you this. Just because you played golf with Barack Obama don't make you this, but in the world that we live in, the chaos that we live in, you're either this or you're that. And that's just so far from the truth."
He added that the opportunity was a "pretty cool opportunity" and that he understood why backlash occurred. Barkley also mentioned that he was offered a position on Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition but declined.
Barkley also commented on New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who faced similar criticism after introducing Trump at a New York event in May 2026. Barkley stated that he spoke with Dart about the situation and was glad that the Giants players were able to resolve their differences.
"I'm glad him everything that went over there in New York, they put that in the past and get back to ball," Barkley said.
Despite the White House tradition for championship teams, several teams, particularly in the NBA, have opted out of visits. However, Barkley said that for him, winning a Super Bowl and visiting the White House is something he has always known and a unique opportunity.
"You may not get that opportunity again, and it's no guarantee that we're going to win a Super Bowl again, and if we win a Super Bowl, growing up my whole life, what do you do? You win a Super Bowl, you go to the White House, you represent your team," he said.