Wentz, Pederson are excited

For Birds trip to White House

PHILADELPHIA » Doug Pederson confirmed Tuesday the Super Bowl LII champion Eagles will be honored June 5th at the White House, and quarterback Carson Wentz is “cool” with making the trip.

That’s not the unanimous sentiment in the locker room, where a small handful of Eagles players led by Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long said they wouldn’t attend a ceremony, citing political differences with the Administration and President Donald Trump, who ripped NFL players for protesting during the national anthem.

Wentz, at a news conference, sympathized with his teammates but has a different take on the visit.

“I think it’s just a cool way to just receive the honor nationally and be recognized,” Wentz said. “I don’t personally view it like some people do. Everyone has their own opinion on it. I don’t view it as a political thing whatsoever. I don’t really mess with politics very often. But I think I will be involved in going to that.”

Wentz intimated the players still hadn’t made a collective decision on their participation, explaining “I know for me personally, if the team decides as a whole, most guys want to go or be a part of it, I will be attending with them.”

Pederson, on the other hand, not only confirmed the date but added “I’m excited to be going and be honored as world champions.

“It’s a great honor,” Pederson said. “We’re still working through some logistics right now so we don’t have all the details of the day. But I’m excited to be going.”

Pederson added that player participation for the trip is “on

PATRICK SEMANSKY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz walks on the field before the NFL football NFC championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.