Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley revealed he declined an invitation to join President Donald Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Barkley explained his decision after the Eagles’ Monday practice.
‘A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council. So I’m not really too familiar with it,’ Barkley told reporters at the NovaCare facility, per ESPN. ‘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,’ he added. ‘I’m assuming it’s something great, so I appreciate it but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned.’
The executive order allows the council to have up to 30 participants. It will be chaired by LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau.
Barkley was named a member of the council by Trump in a news conference announcing its creation; current NFL players Nick Bosa, Tua Tagovailoa and Harrison Butker were also named part of the council along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.
Barkley golfed with Trump ahead of the Eagles’ April White House visit, celebrating their Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Barkley also revealed he golfed with former President Barack Obama in October at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania. Eagles owner Jeff Lurie was also in attendance for the round, as was quarterback Jalen Hurts, though he did not participate in the round.
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