Donald Trump's White House takes another hit from triumphant Super Bowl players

Super Bowl winner and activist Malcolm Jenkins..."I don't have a message for the President". Photo / Photosport

Donald Trump demanded that Super Bowl players stand for the anthem but the US President has got another slap down in return.

Malcolm Jenkins has joined his Philadelphia Eagles team mate Chris Long in saying he would bypass the traditional visit to the White House, instead stating what he did stand for.

Soon after the Eagles' Super Bowl victory over the favoured New England Patriots, strong safety Jenkins told CNN: "I personally do not anticipate attending that (White House).

"I don't have a message for the President. My message has been clear all year. I'm about creating positive change in the communities that I come from ... I want to see changes in our criminal justice system.

"I want to see us push for economical and educational advancement in communities of colour and low-income communities, and I want to see our relationships between our communities and our law enforcement be advanced.

"That's what myself and my peers have been pushing for the last two years, and that's what I'll continue to do."

His position is no surprise. Jenkins helps lead the Player Coalition encouraging NFL owners to lead societal change. Pre game national anthem protests against racism have become a major NFL story and Long has put an arm on Jenkins' shoulder during those.

Tight end Long also donated his 2017 salary to educational charities and replied "Are you kidding me?" when asked about a White House visit. He also turned down the visit last year, when playing for the Patriots.

Long said: "If you don't see why you need allies for people that are fighting for equality right now, I don't think you'll ever see it. So my thing is, Malcolm is a leader, and I'm here to show support as a white athlete."

Another Eagles player Torrey Smith has also said he would miss the White House trip, saying "I don't think he (Trump) is a good person."

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick initially knelt during the national anthem to highlight race issues and police brutality. The protest movement spread from there.

In September, Trump attacked players who took a knee during the anthem which led to even more protest. Super Bowl reports state that no player took a knee during the anthem in Minnesota.

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