Man Takes A Knee At Trump's 'Celebration Of America' (Video)

WASHINGTON, DC -- A spat between the Philadelphia Eagles and President Trump prompted the president to cancel the traditional visit by the NFL champions and hold a "Celebration of America" event instead. But one man in the crowd decided to defy the president at his own event by kneeling during the anthem.

The drama began with reports that most of the Eagles squad would not visit the White House, a tradition for champions in all major U.S. sports, so Trump retaliated over Twitter by uninviting the team. In a statement issued Monday night, the White House Press Office said the team "disagree(s) with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country."

A man was spotted at the event taking a knee during the National Anthem, as you can see below.

A man takes a knee during Trump’s celebration. pic.twitter.com/zghJSk2YOu
— Carina Bergfeldt (@carinabergfeldt) June 5, 2018

At The White House. One guy in the audience took a knee during the national anthem at President Trumps celebration of America no Eagles event. Left right after - didn’t wanna talk pic.twitter.com/NLRGp26gln
— Jesper Zølck (@zolckTv2) June 5, 2018

During the 2017-2018 NFL season, none of the Eagles players kneeled during the playing of the national anthem before any game.

President Trump on Twitter Monday night said players who stay in team locker rooms are showing the same disrespect as players who kneel during the national anthem.

The statement said a celebration will still be held Tuesday, but that it will be a "different type of ceremony" that will pay tribute to the United States.

"The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation," the White House statement reads, "but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better."

Only part of the team was planning to attend the visit, as some players were vocal about their desire not to visit the White House. Torrey Smith, Brandon Graham, Malcolm Jenkins, and Chris Long are some of the players who said they were not planning to attend the visit.

The team responded in a statement Monday night.

"It has been incredibly thrilling to celebrate our first Super Bowl Championship," the team said via Twitter. "Watching the entire Eagles community come together has been an inspiration. We are truly grateful for all of the support we have received and we are looking forward to continuing our preparations for the 2018 season."

Additional reporting by Patch editor Max Bennett

Image via White House