The Philadelphia Eagles Step Up After A Tragedy

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Michael Saks

If the Philadelphia Eagles are known for one thing off the field, it would be their love of community – it doesn’t even need to be in the state of Pennsylvania.

Every Friday night in the fall, high school football teams are playing across the country.

Current high schoolers, alumni, family, and the community come together in hopes to see their team get the W.

Last Friday night, Pleasantville and Camden High School’s New Jersey state matchup was a normal Friday night playoff game until gunshots in the 3rd quarter sent all fans for cover.

A group of six adults, yes adults, targeted another adult at a high school football game.

Unfortunately, three people were shot – including a 10-year old, Micah Tennant who died several days later.

With the game being postponed, the Philadelphia Eagles stepped up and opened up their home to host the rest of the playoff game on Wednesday afternoon in front of a much smaller crowd, closed off to the public. The Eagles are active in the community and this gesture to host showed how much community means to them.

Besides playing a game inside Lincoln Financial Field as a high schooler and making an entrance like a real NFLer, some of the Eagles stepped up and showed up to support both teams.

👏 Eagles players Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery, Fletcher Cox, Zach Ertz, Jason Kelce & Coach Doug Pederson among the Eagles Surprising Pleasantville and Camden players at the Linc before they resume their suspended playoff game at the Linc @6abc #Eagles pic.twitter.com/BIwx6QK96a
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) November 20, 2019

Via Twitter

They had a moment of silence, in honor of Micah, who was pronounced dead only hours earlier. Some playing in his honor.

On Thursday night, a Pleasantville teacher took to Facebook to explain what the entire last week meant to him and the community. He used to be a Washington fan but over the last three years, hasn’t been a fan of the NFL in general. Wednesday changed him.

This is not how anyone wanted to play the game.

This will forever be in their minds and their memories.

Lives were changed last Friday night.

Camden ultimately came away with the win but even for just a moment, these high school students got to forget about the outside world and play the game they love in hopes for a state championship.

Some students may never play a down after they leave high school. On Wednesday, they were able to feel like a true professional.