In a move that speaks volumes about personal autonomy, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has quietly declined an invitation to join a national sports council recently revived by former President Donald Trump. The decision highlights an athlete’s right to choose their professional affiliations carefully.

Barkley, who recently won AP Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for an impressive 2,005 yards, shared his reasoning with a measured tone. “A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council,” he explained. “Me and my family thought it would probably be of best interest to not accept that”.

This decision comes in the context of Trump’s executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test, a health assessment program for school children that was previously discontinued during the Obama administration. The national sports council invitation included several notable sports personalities like golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Nelly Korda, WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and football legend Lawrence Taylor.

Interestingly, Barkley’s decision doesn’t appear politically motivated. He has previously golfed with both Trump and Obama, and attended the White House celebration for the Eagles, while some of his teammates chose to skip the event. His response to potential criticism has been consistent: “Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand”.

Barkley’s choice underscores a growing trend among athletes to maintain independence and make personal decisions that align with their individual values and current life circumstances. By politely declining the invitation, he demonstrates that professional athletes can navigate complex political landscapes with grace and intentionality.

The running back’s decision serves as a reminder that public figures, including athletes, have the agency to choose their engagements based on personal considerations, without necessarily making a broader political statement.