The Philadelphia Eagles, in partnership with KultureCity, have announced the official certification of Lincoln Financial Field as a sensory-inclusive stadium. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with sensory challenges visiting Lincoln Financial Field. As part of that, the Eagles have become one of the first sports franchises to build a state-of-the-art sensory room in its home venue.
Presented by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a founding beneficiary partner of the Eagles Autism Challenge and one of the nation's top-ranked hospitals for children, the Lincoln Financial Field sensory room is one piece of a broader collaboration between the Eagles and CHOP to benefit families throughout the region. For the past decade, the Eagles and CHOP have collaborated on the team's annual Huddle Up event, a carnival-style gathering geared specifically for families impacted by autism. Since August 2016, the Eagles have donated nearly $2 million to benefit autism programs at CHOP and the Center for Autism Research.
The sensory inclusive certification process entailed training for Eagles employees and Lincoln Financial Field staff by leading medical professionals. It included how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads are made available to all guests as part of their experience. The 500-square-foot, state-of-the-art sensory room has been carefully designed by top medical professionals to ensure a quieter and more secure environment.
Lincoln Financial Field's sensory room opened its doors to the public on Sunday, August 4, at the team's Training Camp practice. With proceeds from Sunday's practice going to the Eagles Autism Challenge, Inc. the team's philanthropic priority in support of autism research and care, more than half a million dollars ($506k+) was raised for the cause.
"With the opening of Lincoln Financial Field in 2003, we made it an organizational priority to create a one-of-a-kind experience for guests in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment," said Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles. "It is truly heartwarming to know that this state-of-the-art sensory room will now provide a sense of ease and comfort for families and loved ones who may be experiencing sensory challenges at Lincoln Financial Field. In this moment, we are creating a major shift from autism awareness to action, and it is all thanks to our compassionate and caring fans, Eagles Autism Challenge supporters, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the autism community around the world."
Take a look at the best photos from this year's Eagles Autism Challenge!
SWOOP gets things started at the 2019 Eagles Autism Challenge
Eagles Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Lurie and his wife Tina with a group of participants before the Eagles Autism Challenge
Pedaling away
Doug Pederson taking a selfie with one of the many fans in attendance
SWOOP hanging out with a couple of the participants
Carson Wentz posing with one of the participants
Ready to ride
Riders starting off the event at Lincoln Financial Field
Zach Ertz with a young Eagles fan
And they're off
Thumbs up
Lane Johnson autographing a lucky fan's Eagles Autism Challenge jersey
The Eagles Cheerleaders, SWOOP, and a few of the riders
Carson Wentz speaking with a young fan
Lane Johnson hanging out with a couple of fans
Eagles President Don Smolenski and SWOOP have each other's backs
One of the many riders in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Off they go
Carson Wentz posing for a selfie
Off to the races
Chatting it up before the event
SWOOP hanging out with a pair of riders
Eagles President Don Smolenski begins his 50-mile ride
Nelson Agholor hanging out with one of the many fans
Eagles President Don Smolenski and SWOOP giving each other a high five
Zach Ertz posing for a photo
Almost time to ride
Eagles Cheerleaders
Eagles President Don Smolenski
Eagles President Don Smolenski and Eagles Autism Challenge Executive Director Ryan Hammond
Zach Ertz, Carson Wentz, and SWOOP
Head coach Doug Pederson kicking off the festivities
Doug Pederson being interviewed by ESPN's Sal Paolantonio
SWOOP and Carson Wentz being the life of the party
Carson Wentz signing an autograph
Nelson Agholor hitching a ride
Doug Pederson signing an autograph
Nelson Agholor taking a photo with a happy fan
Doug Pederson being interviewed by ESPN's Sal Paolantonio
Participants beginning their run in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Harold Carmichael with a couple of fans
The runners beginning their portion of the Eagles Autism Challenge
Jason Kelce with Eagles Autism Ambassador Ben Hartranft
What a beautiful mustache
Assistant quarterback coach Spencer Phillips and Coaches assistant Nick Williams working together on a tandem bike
SWOOP making sure everyone is having a fun time during the Sensory Walk
Charles Johnson taking a photo with a young fan
The Eagles Cheerleaders at the start line
One of the Wawa-themed bikes in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Quintin Mikell is excited to tackle the course
Crossing the finish line
Show off those medals
Vinny Curry gives the Eagles Autism Challenge a thumbs up
Jason Kelce crossing the finish line
SWOOP spreading his wings
Nate Sudfeld hanging out with the fans
Eagles players beginning the 15-mile bike ride
Richard Rodgers gladly taking photos with fans
Jason Kelce mingling with fans after crossing the finish line
Look at that speed
Doug Pederson with a group of participants
Mack Hollins is all smiles during the Eagles Autism Challenge
Got to love getting some face paint
Spin the wheel, make a deal
The Eagles Cheerleaders with Jason Avant and others
SWOOP providing some extra motivation
Doug Pederson and his wife Jeannie before the start of the event
The Eagles Cheerleaders having a fun a time
The scene at Lincoln Financial Field
Carlton Agudosi, Marken Michel, B.J. Bello, Bruce Hector, and Josh Adams
A couple of lucky fans hanging out with a bunch of Eagles
Josh Adams with a pair of participants
A trio of participants in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Eagles President Don Smolenski (middle) beginning his trek
Vinny Curry hanging out a pair of runners that crossed the finish line
SWOOP high-fiving fans as they begin the bike portion of the event
Taking on the course with a smile
It's okay to flex those muscles during the Eagles Autism Challenge
Molly Sullivan is excited to be running in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Down the slide she goes
Here they come
Eagles Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Lurie crosses the finish line
Howard Eskin is proud of his effort in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Mike Quick finishing the Eagles Autism Challenge
No better feeling than crossing the finish line at the Eagles Autism Challenge
Running to the finish
Flexing those muscles during the 5K
Team Lucas during the Eagles Autism Challenge
Philadelphia EaBring the kids with you to the Eagles Autism Challenge
Lane Johnson, Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, and Mack Hollins with a trio of participants in the Eagles Autism Challenge
Making the climb
Howard Eskin celebrates being one of the fundraisers of the Eagles Autism Challenge
Brent Celek on stage with SWOOP
Say hi to the camera
Peek-a-boo
Nelson Agholor posing for photos
DeSean Jackson signing autographs for some happy fans
Carson Wentz having fun at the Eagles Autism Challenge
Deiondre Hall smiling big during the Eagles Autism Challenge
Eagles Autism Challenge executive director Ryan Hammond with Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro
Fred Barnett finishing the Eagles Autism Challenge in style
Selfie time with DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor, and Cre'Von LeBlanc
Cre'Von LeBlanc and Nelson Agholor hanging out with a fan
SWOOP encouraging the riders to finish
During the Eagles Autism Challenge EAC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, May 17th 2019. (Brian Garfinkel/Philadelphia Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles Autism Challenge at Lincoln Financial Field on May 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles)
Success
Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro
Hello from the second Eagles Autism Challenge
Enjoying the ride
Doug Pederson taking his helmet off at a rest stop
More flexing
Jason Kelce resuming his ride after stopping for rest
Nate Sudfeld and Mack Hollins hang out with a pair of participants
Nathan Gerry eyes some refreshments at a rest stop
Eagles Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Lurie with Nelson Agholor, DeSean Jackson, Zach Ertz, and Carson Wentz
Eagles Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Lurie and the Eagles Cheerleaders with Howard Eskin, one of the top fundraisers for the Eagles Autism Challenge
Eagles Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Lurie
