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Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley did not accept President Donald Trump’s invitation to earn from his advice for sports, fitness and nutrition, he told journalists Monday at training camp.
Trump signed an executive order on July 31, which restored the council as well as the president’s fitness test. By signing the order, Trump planned to tackle the “widespread epidemic of declining health and physical fitness with a time-tested approach that celebrated the unusual in America’s sports and fitness traditions.”
Trump was surrounded by several athletes during signing, including New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor and Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker.
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Philadelphia Eagles, which runs back Saquon Barkley, caters to the media during training camp at Novacare Complex. (Kyle Ross-Published Pictures)
And during a news conference announcing the order, Trump appointed Barkley among the members of the Council as well as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, San Francisco 49ers ‘Nick Bosa, Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and Butker.
But Barkley set the record just Monday when asked about his role with the council.
“A few months ago it was brought to my team about the council, so I’m not really too familiar with it,” he said pr. NBC Philadelphia. “I felt like I’m getting super busy, so I and my family thought it was probably in interest not to accept it. So, then [I] Was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned, but I assume it’s something good. I appreciate it, but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned. ”
Trump signs executive order to restore the president’s fitness test
Present at signing were current and former stars in other sports, including WWE CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER PAUL “TRIPLE H” LEVESque, LPGA Tour legend Annika Sorenstam and Liv Golf Star Bryson DeChambeau, who will act as chairman of the council. Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon were also present.
“We have an opportunity to be the 70th anniversary of the President’s Council for Sport, Fitness & Nutrition, to literally change the drug in children’s lives,” Defchambeau said. “Our first initiative is to bring back and reign the president’s fitness testing and also restore some key direction lines for the construction of society.”
This advice is tasked with advising and recommending actions in restoring the president’s fitness test and much more in affecting the fitness targets for American youth.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order that restarts the president’s fitness test in public schools, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt room of the White House. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The President’s Council for Youth Fitness was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Presidential Physical Fitness Award was established in 1966 by Lyndon B. Johnson.
When the program was first created, children had to run and perform situps, pullups or pushups and a sit-and-rachet test.
The president’s fitness test was retired by President Barack Obama, and the Council during his presidency established the president’s youth fitness program.
Trump creates the president’s fitness test for another renewal after Obama withdrew during the presidency
“We need to reintroduce the spirit of competition and the spirit and obligation to nutrition and physical fitness,” Kennedy added.
Barkley, who helped Eagles to a Super Bowl Lix title during the 2024 NFL season, his first year in Philadelphia, have participated in some athletic activity with the 47th president of the past. They were discovered at Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, in front of the team’s visit to the White House to celebrate their victory over Chiefs.
Barkley was criticized for golf with Trump and for taking back the Air Force One with the president of Washington DC, he threw these critics via social media.
“Lol some people are really disturbed because I played golf and flew to the White House with the president,” twited Barkley at the time. “Maybe I’m just respecting the office, not a tough concept to understand. Just golf with Obama not too long ago … and looks forward to ending my round with Trump! Now you have to get out of my mentions with all this policy and have a great day.”
Philadelphia Eagles runs back Saquon Barkley during training camp at Novacare Complex. (Kyle Ross-Published Pictures)
Trump also had glowing praise for Barkley and called him a “nice guy.”
“I wanted to run him, but I decided not to do it,” the president haunted.
Barkley’s focus is on defending Vince Lombardi Trophy after having his best year in the NFL, after his first six with New York Giants. The Penn State product led the NFL in rushing yards (2,005) and scrimmage yards (2,283) with 15 combined touchdowns in the regular season.
As a result, Barkley won this year’s offensive player while serving First Team All-Pro Honors and his third Pro Bowl election.
