On Friday, a large group of Eagles players will turn in their helmets and shoulder pads and pick up gloves and softball bats to participate in the Carson Wentz AO1 Foundation Charity Softball Game at Citizens Bank Park and the lineup features some players who have a rich and successful baseball past as well as some who have never played the game.
It's all in the name of charity and fun, but for the purposes of knowing what to expect in the pregame Home Run Derby and the game itself, the players stepped up and provided a scouting report on what to expect. Needless to say, some of the responses were outright hilarious.
Here are some of the players talking about their relationship with the game of baseball.
DeSean Jackson, WR
"I was the kind of player who would get on first base and then steal second, third, and home. A get-on-base kind of guy. I loved the game. Jackie Robinson was my favorite player. Wore No. 1 and played centerfield and second base."
Rasul Douglas, CB
"I played shortstop and third base. Made the varsity for my high school team as a freshman. Derek Jeter was my favorite player. I wore No. 2."
Cre'Von LeBlanc, CB
"I played for about nine years at shortstop and in the outfield. I stole a lot of bases. The highlight of my career was when I blocked out the sun with my glove and caught a fly ball with my hand. I loved Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Mark McGwire."
Nate Sudfeld, QB
"I didn't play much baseball. I would rate myself as 'subpar.' I'm better at bat than in the field. I remember that I hit a home run over the fence in third grade. It was the highlight of my life. I'm just joking. A little bit."
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR
"My baseball career? It's as low as it goes. It's negative. Whatever Bryce Harper is, I'm the opposite. This could be a really embarrassing situation for me, but I'm going to have fun."
Brandon Graham, DE
"I played T-ball and I hit a game-ending home run for a team named the Eagles. We wore blue uniforms. I didn't play much after that. Baseball kind of faded for me in Detroit."
Miles Sanders, RB
"I played kickball as a kid, not baseball. Honestly, I don't even know how to use a glove, so this is going to be an interesting night for me. It will be fun, but I hope the guys don't get on me too much."
Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OL
"I'm not very good. I never played an organized game of baseball in my life. Last year I played in this game and I was fired from being the catcher. I went to the outfield and it wasn't pretty. I wore a Haloti Ngata jersey last year and that covered me a little bit. I don't think I can hide this year."
Jordan Mailata, OT
"I'm the wild card here. I've never played baseball in my life. I have a background in cricket, so maybe it will translate to hitting the ball. Being in the field, that is going to be a total adventure."
Nathan Gerry, LB
"I was an all-state player in my freshman year of high school in South Dakota. I played second base. Doubles hitter and I morphed into a power hitter. I loved the Chicago White Sox and I wanted to grow up and become an athletic trainer for the White Sox. I loved the game. I'm not going to lie to you, I want to be the Most Valuable Player of this game."
Vinny Curry, DE
"I'm not saying a thing. The guys don't know what to expect from me. I'm going to go out there and have fun. You're going to be surprised."
Sidney Jones, CB
"I played as a kid, probably until I was about 11 years old. I played first base and centerfield, had a lot of speed and stole a lot of bases. I'm going to compete out there. I can switch hit, so maybe that's going to fool some guys in the field."
Nelson Agholor, WR
"I did not play as a kid and I was terrible last year in this game. I'm expecting to be just as bad this time around. I'm out there to support Carson and his Foundation. I hope I'm the fan favorite that everybody can make fun of. I'm telling you the truth. Baseball has never been my game. Still isn't."
Malik Jackson, DT
"I played football and ran track as a kid. Baseball was not big in my life, so I'm going to rely on my hand-eye coordination in this game. I hope it works. I'm not expecting a whole lot, just to have fun and support Carson. I want to be the guy, though, who's up with the bases loaded. I'm going to deliver."
L.J. Fort, LB
"I played baseball a lot and was always one of the best athletes and I was doing OK in the game and then the curveball got me. I just couldn't hit the curveball, so that was kind of the end of my baseball career. Throw me a pitch inside and I was all over it. A curveball? Not so much."
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB
"I never played baseball, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to be the best player out there (laughing). Game on the line, I want the ball. I've been working on my bat flip and I have to say, it's on point!"
Zach Ertz, TE
"I was a decent player until I stopped playing in the eighth grade. I was overworked as a pitcher. We didn't have pitch counts back then so I was a power pitcher, bigger than most of the other kids and I brought heat. At the plate, I'm average at best. My goal is to make the Championship Round of the Home Run Derby and for the offense to win this game. I am here to support Carson and everything he does in the community."
Jason Kelce, C
"I was a really good baseball player until the growth plate tore off my elbow when was, like, 11 or 12. I used to throw really hard, straight fastballs. After I got hurt, I gravitated toward lacrosse, which I really loved. I haven't played since then, so it's hard to just pick up a bat and randomly hit a softball. I think I'm probably going to be really terrible, actually, but I will have fun."
Rodney McLeod (coach), S
"I ran track instead of playing baseball just to get faster for football. I played a little bit of baseball, but just recreationally. Last year I had a couple of hits, scored a couple of runs, made a couple of plays in the field. I was OK. I'm a contact guy, not a home-run hitter. This year I'm coaching. I'm going to impart some of my wisdom to the younger guys (laughing)."
Jordan Howard, RB
"I played for one year, in third grade. That was it. Baseball really didn't do it for me. So, I'm going to go out there and hope to get on base. That's my goal. Have fun, support Carson, and get on base and I will consider that a good night."
Wendell Smallwood, RB
"I played in last year's event and that was the first time I really swung a bat in my life. I hit the ball and they caught it. That's about it from last year. This time around, I want to hit a home run. If I do, I'm going to show off. Slow trot. I'm going to have fun. On a scale of one to 10, I'm a one in baseball."
Avonte Maddox, CB
"I played a lot of baseball when I was a kid. I played shortstop and centerfield. I was one of those guys who got on base and then stole a lot. It was always a lot of fun. On Friday, I just want to have a good time. I'm out there to have a good time, but if I can be the MVP, I'm going for it."
Cam Johnston P
"I've never played baseball, so I don't know what to expect. I'm just going out there to have fun."
Stefen Wisniewski, OL
"I played from T-ball through sixth or seventh grade. And I didn't really swing a bat until just before last year's game. My wife threw me a few pitches just so I could get some swings in and then I went out and won the Home Run Derby. I had five homers in the first round, and then maybe three in the next round and then had another three in the game. It was fun. I just never loved baseball. I loved playing football. I was a catcher in baseball and it was a good time, but it wasn't football. My goal this year is to repeat as the Home Run champion and for the offense to win the game. That's what I'm hoping for."