Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Ex-Eagle great Celek helps at charity event
DEVON >> Eagles alumni Brent Celek was at Devon Prep Monday showing off his Super Bowl ring and taking part in Devon Prep’s Student vs. Faculty charity flag football game.
Celek didn’t take the field, he hung up his cleats for the final time following the Super Bowl victory, instead the former tight end was on hand for a new assignment, announcing the game and signing autographs to raise money for the Eagles Autism Challenge.
Celek was joined by the Eagles mascot Swoop and the Eagles Pep band for the event. Students and faculty members who donated $20 to the Eagles Autism Challenge enjoyed a week off from the school’s dress code.
A raffle included an autographed Jordan Hicks mini helmet, a full-size autographed helmet by Zach Ertz and an autographed game day shirt from Carson Wentz.
In addition to the game and raffle, students are taking part in a Madden 18, video tournament in which winners will have a chance to face-off against an Eagles player.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism prevalence in the United States has increased by 15 percent over the past two years from one in 68 children to one in 59. In support of the Eagles Autism Challenge’s mission of raising funds for innovative autism research and programs.
“I’m glad I don’t have to take questions this week,” Celek joked when asked about Sunday’s turkey of a game his former team experienced in New Orleans.
Celek was joined in the booth by Devon Prep senior, Alex Furtek and the two quickly developed a rapport as the teachers took first possession.
“I came to see these teachers get their butts kicked by the students,” Celek said, shedding any pretense of neutrality.
The students quickly jumped out in front on an interception of a pass from Pat Kane, Director of External Operations and teacher quarterback.
“You might want to put that (Wentz) jersey on so you do a little better,” Celek told Kane.
“Spin move, but he’s down, nice tackle by Mr. Cunningham,” exclaimed Celek.
The action was intense through three quarters of play as the teachers pulled ahead.
“The teachers have worked hard, it looks like the students need to pick it up here if they want to win this game,” said Celek, and they quickly did.
“Touchdown, Aaron Nuble, he has some wheels on him,” said Celek as the students pulled ahead.
With time running down Luke Grycewicz iced the game with an interception to preserve the 52-46 victory and bragging rights for the students.
Monday’s game was inspired by Jim and Pattie Gillece, the grand-prize winners of the Philadelphia Eagles World Championship Ring Sweepstakes. Jim and Pattie, the parents of Devon Prep student Griffin Gillece, will be presented with their very own personalized version of the team’s World Championship ring by Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie on Monday, Dec. 3 when the Eagles host the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. The World Championship Ring Sweepstakes drew in nearly six million entries and raised more than $567,000 for the Eagles Autism Challenge. Funds raised from the charity flag football game will be added to that total.
“We feel blessed and humbled to be able to work closely with two world-class organizations, Devon Prep and the Philadelphia Eagles, on an opportunity that has the potential to raise a lot of money for autism research,” said the couple. “We all have a direct or indirect connection to someone affected by autism. We have been impressed by how the students, faculty and administration of Devon Prep have mobilized so quickly in support of the Eagles Autism Challenge.”
Launched in September 2017, the Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial Group is a one-day bike ride and family-friendly 5K run/ walk that begins and ends at Lincoln Financial Field. The second annual Eagles Autism Challenge is set for Saturday, May 18, 2019. One hundred percent of the participant-raised funds benefit world-class institutions that are conducting cutting-edge autism research in Philadelphia. The inaugural event, held in May 2018, raised in excess of $2.5 million, included the participation of more than 3,300 bikers, runners and walkers, and featured 24,700 donors from 20 countries. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.eaglesautismchallenge.org.