Under sunny skies and with warm temperatures making for a perfect spring Saturday, more than 3,600 Eagles fans, friends, and family participated in the 2019 **Eagles Autism Challenge**, presented by Lincoln Financial Group, as a community once again banded together to change the world.
If you see the Eagles Autism Challenge as an event, think again. It's far more than that.
"The Eagles Autism Challenge has become more than just a day," Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said during the Friday night kickoff bash at Lincoln Financial Field. "It is who we are."
Welcomed by the beautiful morning, a stark contrast to the 2018 rainstorm and cold winds, participants – including more than 40 Eagles players, along with head coach Doug Pederson and his staff, Eagles legends, and members of the front office – had their choice of three bike rides – Wawa Classic 50-mile, Wawa Shorti 30-mile, and the Wawa Junior 15-mile – the five Below 5k walk/run, and, new in 2019, a Sensory Walk around the perimeter of the stadium. Along with the wide range of the participants, the activities were expanded and even more varied than in Year 1, continuing the theme of diversity and inclusion.
After raising $2.5 million in 2018, the Eagles Autism Challenge raised that number to $3.37 million, bringing the two-year total to nearly $6 million for the advancement of autism awareness, research, and action moving toward, ultimately, a cure. Donations are still accepted through May 31, and a **silent auction** featuring once-in-a-lifetime Eagles experiences runs through May 24.
"I think the picture of autism has changed in a couple of ways in the last year," said Thomas Jefferson University's Dr. Roseann Schaaf, whose lab seeks to understand and treat sensory difficulties in autism. Her lab studies the ways the brain perceives and integrates sensory information, how differences in sensory processing and integration impact everyday life skills, and whether occupational therapy interventions designed to treat these sensory issues result in long-lasting changes in functional skills needed for success in everyday life.
"One is that there is more of an emphasis on treatment and helping individual with autism integrate into the community, everything from young children all the way up to adults. There is progress. Everything that the Eagles do with the help of the community makes a difference. As a researcher, we need money to fund our programs. And to have these two years and the success that we've had, it's just remarkable."
A weekend of activity caps a year of hard work spearheaded by Eagles Autism Challenge executive director Ryan Hammond and her staff. Coordinating the fundraising efforts and charting the course for the actual weekend itself is a daily effort that has been worth every bit of the sweat equity invested.
"When you have a child who is screaming for three hours and you're home and you're alone, you can feel like you're on an island," said Scott Paymer, who brought his wife and children to the Eagles Autism Challenge for the first time. "Here, it's not an island. Everyone feels safe and secure and welcomed. I can't tell you how incredible that feeling is for a family and a child."
About one in 59 children born is identified with autism spectrum disorder, a statistic that is updated every couple of years in this country. The Eagles have helped make Philadelphia a global hub for leading the way on autism research and development.
Said Hammond: "This has been incredible. To go from having a first-year event that was so successful, almost unprecedented as we raised $2.5 million, had 3,300 participants, 25,000 donors from around the world, you step back and you say, 'How can you build on something like that?' I think you want to carry through the momentum, and I think that's what we've done. We have successfully weaved the Eagles Autism Challenge into our brand. It's not 'Why autism?' anymore. We've made the connection with the community and I think that's probably been the most important thing.
"The autism community has embraced us with pride, with emotional connections, and incredible support. When you put a call to action to the community and they say, 'Yes,' and then you see that response and we all build upon what we did last year, it's just incredible. I think the possibilities are endless."
They certainly were on Saturday as the thousands of participants ate and drank and danced and partied on the grass at Lincoln Financial Field. Moms and dads and their children enjoyed the safety and security of knowing they were surrounded by love and inclusiveness.
As Lurie says, the Eagles Autism Challenge is a way of life for the Philadelphia Eagles.
"We've taken a giant leap forward," said team president Don Smolenski after completing the Wawa Classic 50-mile bike ride. "So many people have gotten involved and have embraced our platform and our support for neurodiversity. The more and more we have this conversation, the more we are changing the conversation. It blows you away when you understand how far we've come in a short time, and we know we have so much more to do."
The players took a break from their offseason program to take part in the morning and all of them stayed after the ride/walk/run to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and once again appreciate the power of a community coming together for a common cause.
For those players who have been around for some time, it's another reminder that playing for the Philadelphia Eagles means more than just winning games on the field.
"This is a pretty special thing we've got going on here," All-Pro center Jason Kelce said. "It's incredible. Being a Philadelphia Eagle, being entrenched in this community, and understanding what I can do and what I can give back and the difference we all make, that's what it's all about."
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
