Eagles Star Jalen Hurts Keeps It Short on White House Absence: “I Wasn’t Available” [Video]

Jalen Hurts is doubling down on his stance that his busy schedule was the reason for his White House absence

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, was noticeably absent when his team visited Donald Trump at the White House on April 28th. A total of 12 players, including Hurts, skipped the celebratory visit, sparking speculation about the reasoning behind their decisions.

“I wasn’t available,” Hurts told reporters on Tuesday. “I don’t think that’s pertinent. Everyone who went, and was available, they seemed to enjoy themselves.”

Questions around Hurts’ attendance began swirling weeks earlier. When asked at the TIME100 Gala on April 24th if he planned to attend, Hurts smiled but declined to respond. By May 5th, he was seen attending the Met Gala in New York City alongside his wife, Bryonna “Bry” Rivera Burrows, in coordinated Burberry outfits.

Other Eagles players who didn’t show up included stars like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Darius Slay.

During the visit, Trump praised Saquon Barkley and threw shade at Taylor Swift, saying, “I was there along with Taylor Swift. How did that one work out?”

Since the big win, Hurts has been enjoying his offseason as a newlywed. In a recent Men’s Health feature, Hurts confirmed his marriage, stating, “You can call her my wife.”