The Philadelphia Eagles are known for their improbable run with a backup quarterback in the 2018 playoffs, ending with a Superbowl win over Tom Brady’s Patriots. The Eagles are also known as big-time contributors to Autism Spectrum Disorder research through their Eagles Autism Foundation.
ASD is a group of developmental disabilities that affect social, communication and behavioral skills along with many other aspects of life. ASD affects one in 36 children and it looks different in everyone who has it. To help people understand and interact with ASD, research, advocacy and empathy must be conducted throughout the community. The Eagles Autism Foundation tackles just that.
The Eagles Autism Foundation establishes its mission through its website: “On the field, we’re united by one objective; victory. Off the field, we are drawn together by an even larger goal: taking action for autism. Through research, advocacy, empathy and unity, our biggest strength is bringing people together, so we’re inviting the world to join us. And together, we will make an impact that echoes around the globe.”
The Eagles Autism Foundation creates opportunities for people with autism and other disabilities through its All Abilities Clinics. These events provide activities for people of all abilities to participate in including football, cheer, drumline and S.T.E.M. The foundation achieves this through trained volunteers, smaller group sizes, visual schedules and instructions and a quiet room for those who need a break.
One of the Eagles Autism Foundation’s strongest supporters is Kylie Kelce, the wife of Eagles legend, Jason Kelce.
“I had a neighbor growing up who’s more like a brother than a neighbor,” Kelce said. “His name is Tim…It never really registered with me that we were interacting with someone who was on the spectrum. So when I got a little bit older and realized how impactful it was to have Tim in my life and to understand autism on a personal level in the way that having Tim did.”
Besides volunteering and working closely with the foundation, one of Kelce’s greatest contributions came from autographing an Eagles jacket that fetched $100,000 at an auction. Kaitlin Olsen and her husband, Rob McElhenney, both of whom were stars on the hit television series It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, bought the jacket.
“I just feel passionately that the Eagles Autism Foundation [is] doing their absolute best to impact the autism community through programs, through research,” Kelce said. “Every single dollar donated goes back to the Autism community,” she added. “They’re very transparent about how your money’s being used.”
In 2023, the Eagles Autism Foundation gave $6.7 million to fund 34 community and research projects for cutting-edge ASD research and care. In the sports community, the Eagles are not the only ones with a focus on ASD research and advocacy. Retired Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino started the Dan Marino Foundation to empower individuals with ASD. Retired quarterback Doug Flutie also created a foundation called Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Texas native and professional golfer Jordan Spieth has the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, established because of Spieth’s sister who has ASD, and his want to help others like her.
