Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Jenkins is Eagles’ nominee for Payton award
ANAHEIM, CALIF. » Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt raised over $37 million in pledges to aid Hurricane Harvey victims.
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins raised his right fist during the national anthem, and with it, awareness for a variety of difficult social issues the NFL will spend $90 million to fix.
They are their teams’ nominees for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, based on involvement in the community and performance on the field. And let’s just say Jenkins had a lot more competition for his nomination on an Eagles team where Chris Long not only donated his entire $1 million base salary this season to benefit educational services, but has been a big part of causes aiding Jenkins.
“It’s especially flattering when you look at the guys that are on this team,” Jenkins said Friday. “Torrey Smith, Chris Long, Carson (Wentz) and all the things that guys are doing in the community. I’ve been on teams where I kind of felt like, I’ve done more than anyone else. But this team you’ve got a lot of guys that are worthy of that honor. So, it definitely means a lot to me.”
His team’s week of practice in Anaheim winding down to an end, Jenkins didn’t walk around the home locker room at Angel Stadium thumping his chest and telling teammates about his good fortune. Far from it. Rodney McLeod, one of his best friends, didn’t know until he was told by a reporter. That indicates what kind of man Jenkins is.
“He’s a guy that does a lot on and off the field,” McLeod said. “He’s a man of great character. I haven’t met too many like him who’s as productive as he is. He’s well deserving of that nomination.”
Harold Carmichael and Troy Vincent are the only Eagles to win the prestigious award, which now calls for $500,000 dollars to be donated in the name of the winner, and the other two finalists $100,000 each. Just being nominated brings a $50,000 donation to the charity of Jenkins’ choice, and he’ll have no problem putting it to use.
In 10 days, Jenkins and teammates will distribute turkeys and toys to needy families in Philadelphia for Christmas. Last year, Jenkins and McLeod rode with police to hand deliver gifts and food.
“It’s a good feeling, especially around the holidays,” Jenkins said. “I know what being around family and having dinner and toys meant to me as a kid. So, to be able to provide that for somebody else who might not have that is important. It’s one of those things where you just recognize there’s always a need. And although gifts and toys don’t necessarily change the circumstances, it definitely at least helps. You’ve got families that have to make decisions about whether they’re going to eat, or they’re going to get toys for their kids. And so hopefully we can relieve some of that pressure for these families.”
Jenkins has done considerable work in the community through the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. He’s been awarded the prestigous Whizzer White Award from the NFL Players Association, for community service. He has worked tirelessly using his platform as a player to advance awareness of a full range of social issues, including policing. In a few months the program starts to kick in, with a players committee voting to decide the first programs using that money from the NFL.
“The next step is kind of building this out with the league in highlighting some of the different issues that are going around in the league and the players’ role in helping that,” Jenkins said. “We’ll have a few activations over the next few months. We’re sort of planning it out.”
Jenkins doesn’t have time right now to focus on the upcoming crusades. Not with the Eagles (10-2) facing a critical showdown with the Los Angeles Rams Sunday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
To keep control of their destiny, the Eagles need a win in the worst way. Win and they’re NFC East champs for the first time since 2013.
A loss and the Eagles bring home a losing streak from the West Coast trip that began with a 24-10 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks.
Imagine the criticism if the Eagles turn in another mistake-filled, turnoverheavy game after a week in a 4-star hotel on the West Coast.
Jenkins says it’s been anything but a stay-cation.
“It feels like we’re back in training camp,” Jenkins said. “There’s nothing to focus on but ball. The schedule is kind of long. And after last week’s game guys have just been really dialed in on how do we get back to preparing the way we need to and locking up this division?”
It will be interesting to see who takes the Walter Payton award this season. The voting committee this year includes, among others, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Fitzgerald, Eli Manning and Payton’s widow, Connie.
Jenkins slowly but surely was congratulated by teammates who learned of his nomination via social media. He has their votes.
“I did the listen and learn tour with him around Philadelphia,” McLeod said. “And that kind of opened my eyes to a lot of things. And so from there on out, I decided to support him in any way.
“He’s done a tremendous job.”