The Seahawks haven’t been invited to the White House — yet.
But when the invitation comes, the expectation inside the organization is clear.
Seahawks Inclined to Accept White House Invitation, Source Says
INDIANAPOLIS — The Seattle Seahawks are still waiting for the official call.
Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team has not yet received a White House invitation following its Super Bowl LX victory. Traditionally, championship teams are invited in the weeks after their title win.
“We haven’t got an invite yet,” Macdonald said. “And then we’ll address it after that, after we get the invite.”
Still, a league source indicated the organization’s initial inclination would be to accept if asked — continuing a long-standing NFL tradition.
Following League Tradition
Most Super Bowl champions make the White House visit. The Philadelphia Eagles did so last year, including a stop at Arlington National Cemetery.
The only recent exception came in 2018, when the Eagles’ invitation was rescinded by then-President Donald Trump amid controversy surrounding national anthem protests.
If Seattle receives an invitation and chooses to attend, participation would not be mandatory. Individual players and staff members would be free to opt out, as has been common practice across professional sports.
Macdonald emphasized that any decision would come only after a formal invitation is received.
“We’ll wait for the invite and then work through it from that point,” he said.
A Collective Decision
When asked whether attendance would be determined by a player vote or organizational leadership, Macdonald suggested the process would be collaborative.
“I think it’s just everybody involved, just like we do everything else,” he said.
Speculation has circulated on social media suggesting the Seahawks had already declined an invitation. Macdonald’s comments directly refute those claims.
Typically, White House invitations arrive several weeks after the Super Bowl. Last year, the Eagles announced they had accepted their invitation on March 11 and visited on April 28.
Seattle’s first White House visit came after its 2014 Super Bowl victory, when President Barack Obama invited the team during a phone call with then-head coach Pete Carroll just days after the win.
What Happens Next
Macdonald said he expects an invitation will come.
“I expect to get an invitation, and then we’ll go from there,” he said.
For now, the Seahawks remain focused on offseason business at the combine. But if the invitation arrives, Seattle appears prepared to continue a championship tradition — while allowing individuals to make their own personal choices.
The ball, for the moment, is in Washington’s court.
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