The seventh annual Eagles Autism Challenge takes place at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday morning.
The team’s charity event raises funds for autism research and care, and offers participants the opportunity to interact with current and former players and coaches.
Participants at the challenge will take on either a 30-mile bicycle ride, a 10-mile ride, a 5K run/walk, or a sensory walk — which involves reduced noise levels and more rest stops. The routes start and end at the Linc, passing through the city and the suburbs along the way.
This year’s event has surpassed its previous participation records, with more than 5,000 cyclists, runners and walkers registered, and more than 30,000 sponsorships and donors. Since it started in 2018, the challenge has raised over $25 million, which has helped fund 116 research projects.
The event also includes family and sensory-friendly events like with Birds mascot Swoop, coaches and current and former Eagles like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Landon Dickerson, and Jason Kelce.
Kelce, who’s emotional retirement speech is probably still as fresh in Eagles fans minds as his antics with his brother Travis on the New Heights podcast, confirmed his participation on April 2, which is World Autism Awareness Day. Ryan Hammond, Eagles Autism Foundation executive director, said that both Kelce and his wife Kylie’s involvement in the project have been there since she joined the project.
“Jason was one of the first players that I engaged with and it was partially because he wanted to tell me about — at the time his fiancé — Kylie, who was working in an autistic support classroom and knew that we were doing this and wanted to get involved.” Hammond said. “From that moment in time, I feel like they have just been incredible ambassadors.”
Kylie now has a role in the foundation and consults for the challenge.
Earlier this year, the autism foundation showcased and auctioned unique pieces from 35 artists from the Greater Philadelphia area at Old City gallery Arch Enemy Arts. The gala raised more than $123,000 for the Eagles Autism Foundation, according to the Eagles.
