The entire Eagles roster sat inside the NovaCare Complex auditorium on Wednesday evening, minus one Jon Dorenbos. However, the room was not void of the veteran long snapper for long as head coach Doug Pederson turned on the television and flipped the channel just in time for the players to watch their teammate on America's Got Talent.
Dorenbos, who had performed the night prior and stunned the crowd at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with his magic, was voted through by fans to the semifinals of the show. Without much time to let the news sink in, he quickly jumped on a plane to Philadelphia so that he could rejoin the guys who have been supporting him the entire time.
"I don't think anything feels better than when you get the respect of your teammates because you're here with them so long and you practice," Dorenbos said. "I see what they go through, what they overcome to play not only for themselves but everybody else. So, you kind of step away and there's a moment when they all rally for me and it's super cool because I love these guys. It was a really cool thing."
The magician's Tuesday night performance not only left the Eagles speechless but also brought the show's celebrity judges - Heidi Klum, Mel B, Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell - to their feet. For Dorenbos, the moment was surreal, something out of a dream.
But, the long snapper's main goal in performing is to bring his audience as much joy as magic has brought him.
"I just want people to have fun. Magic is just cool and that's what it's been my whole life," Dorenbos said. "I want to bring the energy. I always wanted to be a rock star, but I have no musical ability whatsoever. So, I try and just get my rock star moment and feel like Bruce Springsteen or Garth Brooks on stage. In my mind, I told myself I was Garth Brooks at that moment. I was like, 'Holy cow. This is what Garth Brooks feels like. This is sick.'
"Take it for what it is. I've always said this – I didn't want the NFL to define me. I didn't want magic to define me. I love what I do. I'm just going to enjoy what I do. It'll be a great story for the grandkids because eventually it all ends, right? Then it's all about the ones you love and family and friends. So, I'm just going to ride that wave and enjoy it."
Now back in the City of Brotherly Love, Dorenbos' mind was in football mode Thursday afternoon as he stepped on the field of the Eagles' indoor practice facility. Over the course of the next few weeks, the long snapper will concentrate fully on preparing for the 2016 football season with his teammates.
Nevertheless, Dorenbos has always worked to keep a steady balance in his life and is excited that the organization is supporting his appearances on the show. Even with Training Camp in full swing, the long snapper will miss minimal practices to continue on his America's Got Talent journey.
"We're going to discuss schedules and I'm super excited for this opportunity," Dorenbos said. "It's been a dream come true and I don't know too many people that would not want to have this problem. To be able to do this and that at once has been unbelievable.
"I've played for this team for a long time and I want to win more than anything. It's really cool that the team had my back and the players, the fans. I can't thank you enough. It's so, so cool. Nothing gives me more pride than to represent Philly as an Eagle on the stage in Dolby Theatre."
