Eagles

Watch Jeffrey Lurie Surprise Rodney McLeod With Great News

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Dec 10th, 2020 · 10:33 AM EST

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Everything around the Eagles pretty much stinks right now, but here’s a feel-good story from the team.

Rodney McLeod thought he was recording a public service announcement at the Birds’ facility when owner Jeffrey Lurie showed up on the screen to deliver some news:

.@Rodney_McLeod4’s WPMOY nomination didn’t surprise anyone in our organization… except for him.#WPMOYChallenge McLeod pic.twitter.com/hU1jAfHpDV

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 10, 2020

That’s really cool. Good for McLeod, and a nice gesture from Lurie. Maybe we could call this an example of “emotional intelligence.”

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is considered the NFL’s highest honor, and it recognizes a player for outstanding community service and excellence both on and off the field.

Here’s part of the blurb the Eagles sent out to media:

“Recognizing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable communities in the Philadelphia region and across the nation, Rodney and his wife, Erika, founded the Change Our Future Foundation. The Foundation was designed to empower people through education, advocacy and awareness in the areas of youth development, healthy lifestyles and community enrichment. Rodney has already established various signature campaigns and programs through his foundation. During Week 2, Rodney was named the NFL Players Associations’ Community MVP after distributing 40,000 pounds of fresh food to families through Philadelphia’s Share Food Program, something his foundation has done each month during the 2020 season, as well as providing polling information and voter registration opportunities.”

The Eagles have had three WPMOTY winners in franchise history. Harold Carmichael won it in 1980, Troy Vincent in 2002, and Chris Long in 2018.