Saquon Barkley turns down invitation from President Donald Trump, 'shocked' at being included

Saquon Barkley turned down an invitation from President Donald Trump to be on his council concerning sports, fitness and nutrition. Barkley said he was shocked when he heard his name mentioned in the first place.

“A couple months ago it was brought to my team about the council. So I’m not really too familiar with it,” Barkley said after practice at the NovaCare facility. “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. I’m assuming it’s something great so I appreciate it but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned.”

Back on July 31, President Trump signed an executive order establishing said council, which advises the president and recommends actions on a number of fronts that includes school-based programs. Those programs reward excellence in physical education, fitness goals for American youth and strategies to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test.

“The council will consist of up to 30 members, per the executive order,” ESPN’s Tim McManus wrote. “During a press conference announcing the order, President Trump named Barkley as a member of the council along with a group that includes NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, fellow football players including Nick Bosa, Tua Tagovailoa, Harrison Butker, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, as well as retired legends Jack Nicklaus and Wayne Gretzky and current LIV Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau.”

Barkley previously spent time with President Trump back in April, following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win. He played golf with him and fired back at critics of his decision.

“Lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,” Barkley wrote on Twitter. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago…and look forward to finishing my round with Trump ! Now ya get out my mentions with all this politics and have amazing day (laughing emoji).”

Barkley was regarded as one of the few missing pieces to get the Eagles another Super Bowl victory. He was rewarded by becoming the highest paid running back in NFL history back in March.

Barkley ran for a career high 2,005 yards, 13 touchdowns and 5.8 yards per carry during the regular season. Adding in his postseason yardage, Barkley set the all-time rushing record (regular and postseason) with 2,504 yards.