In John Irving's novel The World According to Garp the protagonist's sidekick is a transsexual former Eagles tight end, played in the film adaptation by John Lithgow.
The 1998 film The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon stars Tony Danza as a Philadelphia sanitation worker. Because his garbage truck fails to close its payload properly, he is forced to kick it shut. As a result, his leg becomes so strong that he can kick field goals beyond 50 yards, and the Eagles sign him as their kicker.
This fictional tale is similar to the true story of Vince Papale, dramatized in the 2006 film Invincible. In the movie, Vince Papale is a 30 year old bartender who enters an open tryout with the Eagles and makes the team. Papale is played by Mark Wahlberg who later shows up in the film Shooter wearing an Eagles jacket and ball cap. In reality, while at the time he was in fact a bartender, Papale had previously played for the World Football League's Philadelphia Bell, and did well enough to earn a private workout with then Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil. Papale played three seasons with the Eagles playing wide receiver and special teams.
The 2003 Adam Sandler film Anger Management features Jonathan Loughran portraying a Philadelphia sports fan who is a member of an anger management group, poking fun at Philadelphia's unfortunate penchant for losses and irate fans. Loughran is seen in the film wearing a #5 Donovan McNabb Eagles jersey, as well as a #6 Julius Erving Sixers jersey.
In 1995, in an effort to better give back to the community, Eagles Youth Partnership (EYP) was formed as a 501(c)(3) public charity in the emerging field of sports philanthropy.
Eagles Youth Partnership serves over 50,000 low income children in the Greater Philadelphia region every year via two mobile units - the Eagles Eye Mobile, which gives eye examinations, and the Eagles Book Mobile, a literacy program. EYP is also known for annual playground builds in underserved neighborhoods, an annual chess tournament, and a variety of other programs and events.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Club is Eagles Youth Partnership's largest funder. The Eagles also donate free office space, staff support and other resources. Corporate, foundation and individual donors join to support Eagles Youth Partnership's efforts.
In 1971, Kim Hill, the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill was diagnosed with leukemia. As Fred & his family dealt with the devastating blow to the family, his teammates and owner Leonard Tose pledged their emotional support.
As Fred continued to research Kim's leukemia, the support of Leonard Tose and the Philadelphia Eagles continued to inspire him. The Eagles held fundraising dinners, the team made individual contributions, and Fred and Kim continued to bravely battle this disease.
After Kim's successful treatment, Fred realized how powerful the spirit of solidarity that his teammates displayed truly was. Fred became committed to helping other families battle pediatric cancers. From helping them identify resources, to assisting financially, Fred & his teammates continued their fight against childhood cancers. In 1972, Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose officially recognized Eagles Fly for Leukemia as the official philanthropy of the Philadelphia Eagles Football Club.
The spirit of the Eagles and Leonard Tose led to the development of the world's first Ronald McDonald House- a place for families to find shelter when their children are sick. Now, over 200 Ronald McDonald house's shelter thousands of families around the world.
The spirit continued, and over the last 30 years, Eagles Fly for Leukemia has raised over $10 million towards pediatric cancer research and Family Support.
In 1991, Eagles Fly for Leukemia soared higher, and established themselves as a free-standing non-profit organization, outside of the Philadelphia Eagles Football Club. However, the spirit remains, as the team continues to support and encourage Eagles Fly for Leukemia initiatives.