The Philadelphia Eagles are ready to strut their Super Bowl LIX victory in front of the White House, if only someone would send them an invitation that doesn't come with a side of controversy.

Despite their eagerness to celebrate their second championship after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles have yet to receive an invitation to the White House, and memories of past political spats and players opting out of celebrations loom large. With a team vote determining their visit and head coach Nick Sirianni prioritizing, well, literally anything else, fans are left wondering if this celebration will truly be as jubilant as their victory.

In the wake of their recent Super Bowl triumph, the Eagles find themselves in a peculiar waiting game. The team would gladly don their finest green and fly to D.C. to bask in the glow of the nation's capital, but for now, the invite remains lost in the White House mailroom—or perhaps buried under a pile of other pressing matters. After all, who would want to make politics fun again by inviting a football team to celebrate a win?

This isn't the first time the Eagles have danced around a White House visit. Their planned trip back in 2018 was snatched away like a football at the last second, abruptly canceled the night before. The reason? A tangle of political commentary that left many players feeling uninvited, despite the invitation that was once theirs. In a moment reminiscent of high school prom drama, only one of the four teams that won the Super Bowl during Trump's term actually made it to the event, leaving Philadelphia to wonder what might happen this time around.

As for the actual visit, the Eagles are looking to send a delegation of players and personnel if the invite ever arrives—assuming they don't trip over the political landmines strewn across the lawn first. Lane Johnson, the Eagles' resilient offensive lineman, emphasized the importance of a team vote on the visit, making it sound less like a bipartisan initiative and more like a group project where half the class shows up and the other half is contemplating major. "We'll see what the team thinks," Johnson suggested, likely picturing a gathering that could rival a family reunion in terms of convincing members to participate.

Head coach Nick Sirianni has expressed that contemplating a trip to the White House is currently not a priority. He probably has bigger fish to fry—perhaps something involving actual fish, like devising a play that lets Jalen Hurts throw a touchdown pass during a celebratory seafood cook-off. His focus understandably lies on the field and ensuring his players don't develop any political allergies that could carry over into next season.

As the Eagles sit on the cusp of potential glory in Washington, some fans can’t help but feel déjà vu. They recall the mixed feelings surrounding the team's previous visit—when political tensions simmered right along with the turkey frying. With every high-profile athlete in America currently scrutinized for their political stances, the Eagles are acutely aware that a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue could lead to a bit more than just fanfare. However, the invitation to visit the White House has not yet been extended, and the traditional visit to the White House has become controversial during Trump's presidency. The air is ripe with anticipation, along with a hint of apprehension.

For the Eagles to tackle something as formidable as a White House visit, their first challenge is simply getting an invite. Until that happens, the joy of celebration remains unwrapped, much like a Christmas gift still sealed in its box, waiting for a plan to get the team back together to kick off the festivities. Until the call comes through, this year’s victory may remain a point of discussion, influenced by the controversies surrounding past visits and the team's intentions regarding participation.

Some might say the Eagles should skip the visit altogether. After all, victory is better celebrated on the field than in front of the cameras. Instead of a public display that could turn into an embarrassing episode, perhaps the Eagles could just send a heartfelt thank-you letter that circles all the way back to D.C., without ever having to set foot inside politics’ lion’s den. However, the Eagles would be honored to visit the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win, and it seems like staying out of the presidential limelight isn’t really an option, considering the invitation has not yet been extended, in today’s media-fueled world.

The Eagles stand poised at an ironic crossroads, where the love of football collides with the divisive nature of politics. While anticipation simmers, their strategy remains sound: play hard, stay united, and hope that a future with less drama might allow them to celebrate their victory without the baggage of lavender-scented press conferences and insincere receptions. Regardless of what happens next, at least this championship win provides a decent excuse to dig out those celebratory T-shirts and to fill the atmosphere with that distinctly autumnal scent of camaraderie… or maybe just some snack food.