
In a gesture that shook the NFL with both sorrow and honor, Philadelphia Eagles superstarĀ Jalen Hurts announced the auction of one of the most prized artifacts in the Eaglesā modern history ā theĀ Ā game-worn jersey from Super Bowl LIX in Ā theĀ 2024 season, the night he delivered the city its long-awaited Lombardi Trophy.
But this auction isnāt about memorabilia or legacy. It is a mission to help save the man who helped build the quarterback Hurts became and shaped his legacy ā
Eagles legend Randall Cunningham, who is currently battlingĀ malignant pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive and dangerous forms of cancer today.
For Hurts, this decision isnāt about keepsakes or money ā itās aboutĀ gratitude.
š¬ āBefore becoming āJalen Hurts, MVP,ā I was just a kid trying to earn respect in this city,ā Hurts said. āRandall taught me how to carry faith, pressure, and responsibility ā the Philly way. If this jersey once stood for victory, now I want it to stand for hope.ā
Cunningham ā a four-time Pro Bowler and the revolutionary dual-threat quarterback who reshaped Eagles football in the late 1980s and early 1990s ā has served as HurtsāĀ personal mentor and private offseason coachĀ since the day the Eagles drafted him in 2020, helping forge his discipline, mobility, and leadership mindset.
Their bond runs deeper than football: discipline, spirituality, and a brotherhood that bridges generations.
Over the past year, Cunningham has quietly faced treatment for a malignant cancer. Those close to him say he remains calm, grateful, and prayerful ā still the man who once leapt past defenders and made the impossible look effortless. He remains strong, still attending youth football camps and speaking to players aboutĀ purpose over fame.
But the fight is real. And the medical costs are enormous. Hurtsā auction is being coordinated through theĀ Eagles Alumni Foundation, with all proceeds going directly to theĀ Cunningham Family Medical Trust.
For Philadelphia fans, this is more than a punchy headline. ItāsĀ one era rising to lift another. The jersey in question is more than fabric ā it is a symbol of Philadelphiaās rebirth: the sweat-stained midnight-greenĀ No. 1Ā from Super Bowl LIX, the night Hurts outdueledĀ Patrick MahomesĀ and opened a new era in Eagles history.
š¬ āPeople see a trophy. I see the man who helped me win it,ā Hurts reflected.
āIf this jersey can buy him more time ā more sunrises, more family moments, more chances to inspire ā then itās doing something far greater than football.ā
Randall CunninghamĀ once carried the Eagles through years of heartbreak.
Now the quarterback who finally finished the job is returning the favor.
This is not a charity headline.Ā This isĀ Philadelphiaās identityĀ ā heart, grit, and unbreakable brotherhood.
Because in this city, the bond between generations of players isnāt merely symbolic āit isĀ lived, honored, and repaid.
In Philadelphia, legends never fade.Ā They areĀ protected by the people they inspired.