Eagles Offensive Line: Christmas Album for Charity

12/31/2023

As the holidays roll near, many celebrities and musicians capitalize on the holiday market and spirit, releasing "Christmas Specials". Many people have grown tired of this tradition due to its repetitive and disingenuous "cash grab" stigma. Despite this, when a group as unaffiliated with music as three starting Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen decided to release a holiday album, it was bound to turn heads.

Last year, Eagles center Jason Kelce, right tackle Lane Johnson, and left tackle Jordan Mailata recorded and released their "Philly Special" Christmas album. Instead of the usual cash grab, the album proceeds went to various Philadelphia charities. They announced they would be releasing a second album to once again serve their community through the Children's Crisis Treatment Center and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Fans immediately embraced the unique fundraising effort. Their first album raised a staggering $1.25 million and sold 25,000 vinyl copies. This year's album releasing its release in November has already sold 50,000 vinyl records. 

The project's sequel capitalized on its popularity by upping its local appeal. This year, more Eagles have joined the effort, featuring vocals from quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver AJ brown, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and renowned Philadelphia singer Patti Labelle. The support the albums received exhibits the passion and unity of Eagles Fans. The fanbase is sometimes known to be passionate almost to a fault, but their fierce dedication to the team has fueled a mass charity effort.

One of the three original album members, Lane Johnson, was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award by the team. The award seeks to recognize certain players' outstanding efforts of service off the field. Johnson's main field of advocacy is in mental health. Drawing from personal experience, Johnson was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2008. In the 2021 NFL season, Johnson suffered from anxiety and depression, causing him to miss three games. He wants to remove the stigma around mental health transparency and advocates for those suffering to seek help. He spoke for the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties in partnership with Kooth, a free aid organization for Philadelphia youth suffering from mental health issues.

Beyond his acts of service, he was further deserving of his nomination for his community-building endeavors. It's often said through all levels of football that the battle is won in the trenches. However, while defensive linemen receive praise and glory for their sacks, in the action-filled box, offensive linemen go unnoticed. Offensive tackle in particular is one of the highest-paid positions but is mostly publicly underrecognized. To serve his fellow position mates Lane Johnson began the OL Masterminds Summit, a conference and clinic led by himself and the offensive line "guru" Duke Manyweather. The meeting brings together NFL and college linemen to discuss and share their mentalities and techniques, and "progress OL recognition". Johnson also converted his horse barn into a gym, renaming it the "Bro Barn." There he hosts teammates and other NFL players in lifting competitions.

The album is no novel joke either. Production for the album was vigorous and detailed. Charlie Hall, drummer for the band "War on Drugs" was involved in its recordings. Jason Kelce mentioned the idea for the project to Eagles director of player development Connor Barwin. Barwin and Kelce were teammates and roommates at the University of Cincinnati. Being around Kelce for so long, he was shocked to kind "Kelce could actually sing". Jordan Mailata was already an established vocalist, singing in the television series "The Masked Singer" and credited his abilities to his upbringing in his native New Zealand. After some time into the project had passed, Barwin declared, "We're really going to do this. Now we have to commit." 

The Eagles' offensive line albums showcased a grand example of NFL players using their platform for good. The success and effort put into the album speak to the powerful relationships that good-hearted big-name athletes have with their communities. Instead of treating the album as a novel joke, the football players understood the promising capabilities their project would have for people in need. The passion of Philadelphia fans shone through in their purchasing and positive feedback about the charity effort. The unique project not only drove funds to philanthropic causes but also served as a means for the Eagles fandom and players to come together as a community. Jason Kelce spoke about the future of this project, saying, "Find out next year, I guess."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works Cited

Bumbaca, Chris. "How Eagles' Christmas album morphed from wild idea to hit record." USA Today, 15 Dec. 2023, www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2023/12/15/philadelphia-eagles-christmas-album-jason-kelce-jordan-mailata/71847975007/.

"Eagles name Lane Johnson as their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year candidate." Philadelphia Eagles, 5 Dec. 2023, www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-name-lane-johnson-walter-payton-nfl-man-of-the-year-candidate-nationwide.

Holtermann, Callie. "The Eagles Release a Christmas Album. Not Those Eagles." NYtimes.com, 1 Dec. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/style/philadelphia-eagles-christmas-album-.html.