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'Who is the next Chris Long?' - A closer look at the Eagles' charitable work

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Earlier today, Christopher Howard Long announced his retirement from the NFL. The #2 overall pick in 2008 spent 11 seasons in the league with the Rams, Patriots and most recently the Eagles - earning 2 SuperBowl rings in the process alongside his 70 career sacks. However, there was more to Chris than just his limitless effort on the field - his charity WaterBoys has helped construct 59 wells in Africa to date at a cost of $45,000 per well, raising over $3 million in the process. He also donated his entire 2017 salary to charities aimed at improving education in the three cities he's played in, earning the 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his incredible charitable work and community efforts.

The Eagles have developed a tendency recently to roster at least one player who everybody in the league seems to respect, who's work and attitude both on the pitch and off of it push far beyond the limits of what is expected of them as a football star. In my (relatively short) time as an avid Eagles fan, I've been fortunate enough to experience two such former Eagles in Connor Barwin and Chris Long, and both have helped change my outlook on sports in general. So with Long now announcing his retirement I thought it would be interesting to look at some current Eagles' charitable actions to see if any of them could become the 'next Chris Long' - a player who's efforts off the field debatably overshadow their work on the field, or at least come very close to doing so.

Links to every charity mentioned will be at the bottom of this article for anyone interested in reading more or donating!


Malcolm Jenkins

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There isn't much debate to be had here over Jenkins' impact both on and off the field. On the field he is a crucial member of the defense who plays his heart out on every single snap, and I mean every single snap - he was on the field for every single defensive play last season as well as playing 31.4% of ST snaps. Off the field he has been a massively influential character - his charity the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation helps aid youth in underserved communities and he is a leading member of the Players Coalition, promoting social justice issues and cooperating with team owners to implement change both on and off the field. His attitude is incredible, he stands up for what he believes in and everybody on the team looks up to him as an influential figure. He was awarded the Byron 'Whizzer' White Award for his work in 2017, earning an additional $100,000 for his charity.

Carson Wentz

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I'm sure everybody remembers this story, of how Carson fulfilled 9-year-old Lukas Kusters dream of sharing time together and having Carson show him around the facility. Lukas gave him a rubber bracelet of his nickname - 'Dutch Destroyer' - and I believe it's a testament to Carson's amazing attitude that this bracelet has been around his wrist ever since. Lukas may not have lived to see the Eagles lift the Lombardi trophy, but his strength and attitude has inspired Wentz to battle through any adversity that faces him. His charity, the AO1 foundation has helped share life lessons through sport with those with illnesses and physical disabilities as well as veterans. AO1 has also funded a sports complex in Haiti after Carson visited in 2017, and following a bet with Jake Elliott Carson donated his game check ($120k) to charity after Jake's 61yd game winning FG. The AO1 charity softball game is also a big fundraiser and involves many of the Eagles' star players, with this years game taking place on May 31st at Citizens Bank Park (tickets are still available!).

Lane Johnson

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In their brief time together in Philly, Lane Johnson and Chris Long forged an incredible friendship. In the Eagles SuperBowl winning run, the two of them took the Eagles image as underdogs to heart, bringing dog masks on to the field to prove that 'hungry dogs run faster'. Through this underdog image, Lane and Chris began selling underdog inspired clothing, with all proceeds being donated to The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, and when the NFL tried to steal the design for themselves Lane was outspoken enough about the issue to convince the NFL to donate it's profits to the same charity too, with the total amount raised well over $100,000. Lane is incredibly well respected around the league as the premier right tackle around, and Chris' influence has clearly rubbed off on him.

Mack Hollins

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Mack Hollins' influence in the community is something I feel goes unnoticed. He has incredibly close ties to the Salute to Service initiative as his brother, Andrew, serves in the US Marine Corps. Outside of this he has helped with several charity programs such as the Thumbs Up Mission, a program that helps cancer victims by 'infusing hope and inspiring laughter'. Mack was also the Eagles ambassador to London last year for the NFL London Series, helping to introduce English children to the sport and he runs his own personal program - Mack Book Mondays - on his Instagram page @MackHollins that encourages people to read and share books in the hope of winning some signed books and gear from Mack himself.

Other great work - Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Zach Ertz, Rodney McLeod and Nelson Agholor

Vinny Curry is back as an Eagle lined up next to big man Fletcher Cox yet again, and both have made significant efforts to help the community during their time on the team. Vinny funds a $200,000 scholarship at Marshall in honour of his late mother who passed from cancer in 2011, whilst Cox has been named co-chair of the Philadelphia Police Foundation's 'Night for Blue' event after he donated $100,000 to support the charity. After paying over $15,000 for sporting equipment for youngsters who could not afford their own, Zach Ertz personally donates $250 to TouchDDowns for Kids for every TD he catches - a good reason for Wentz to target him! McLeod has helped out with fellow safety Malcolm Jenkins' foundation as well as having teamed up with a Delaware food bank to donate 200 Thanksgiving dinners in 2016, and Agholor donated 100 backpacks to Philly students in 2015 thanks to Steppingstone Scholars.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Jeffrey Lurie

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Just gone this week was the Eagles second Autism Challenge, raising $3.37 million to build on the $2.5 million it raised in 2018. It encourages fundraising by getting participants to take part in either a cycle or walk to help fund support for families who live with autism. Jeffrey Lurie himself is a big supporter of the event as, coming from a family with autism he has seen firsthand the positive impacts that fundraising events such as this can have on families across America. The hope is that the money raised can fund research to help better understand autism and to help assist those affected by autism both currently and in future generations, engaging the community to engage with those who may need their support in life.

Clearly all the work I've mentioned here is a testament to the amazing attitude and culture this team possesses, and all the players' amazing work should be applauded. Hopefully this dive into some of the work the players have been a part of inspires you to go out and do something to support others, or at least changes your outlook towards sports like it did mine. The Eagles, as well as other teams and players around the NFL do great work to support communities and those less fortunate, and all should be recognized for their great work.

If any of you are interested in reading more into any of the charities or wish to donate to any of the causes, all links are posted beneath:

Malcolm Jenkins - https://themalcolmjenkinsfoundation.org/

Carson Wentz - https://www.ao1foundation.org/ or for the softball game - https://www.ao1foundation.org/charity-softball-game/

Chris Long - https://waterboys.org/

Zach Ertz - https://fanpages.philadelphiaeagles.com/tdforkids.html or https://www.goodsports.org/DunkinPhilly/

Nelson Agholor - https://www.steppingstonescholars.org/

Fletcher Cox - https://phillypolicefoundation.org/

Eagles Charitable Foundation - https://www.eaglescharitablefoundation.org/

Eagles Autism Challenge - https://www.eaglesautismchallenge.org/