"I've been watching Eagles games since I was 7. I know what Eagles fans want to see."
Eagles fans are fortunate that one of their own, NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Smith, was the driving force behind America's Game: 2024 Philadelphia Eagles, the annual documentary on the Super Bowl Champions, which premieres Wednesday night at 8 PM on NFL Network.
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Smith played quarterback at Lenape High School and Dartmouth. He has worked at NFL Films, based in his hometown, since 2002. This marks his first time working on America's Game. NFL Films knew Smith was the perfect person for the job.
"I do think assigning someone who is a fan of that team, I think there's just a little bit extra sauce, you know what I mean?" Smith said. "You just know more about the fan base. You know more about the individual players. You know more about the history of the team, the games."
Smith was selected to lead the latest edition of America's Game in April. He targeted three players – Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, and Jalen Hurts – and Head Coach Nick Sirianni for in-depth interviews to tell the story of the season. Then, NFL Films hoped to have Academy Award-nominated actor and director (and die-hard Eagles fan) Bradley Cooper narrate the feature.
NFL Films recorded the interviews at the NovaCare Complex in May, spending around 45 minutes with the three players and Coach.
"You go in having high hopes that they're going to tell stories and be the best versions of themselves in these interviews and then when they are, that's freaking awesome," Smith said. "I expected them all to be good interviews, but they were even better than I expected."
Smith extensively studied Hurts' press conferences, interviews, and Mic'd Up features to get a better sense of the quarterback's personality and demeanor. He was in awe when Hurts revealed during the interview how much of a fan of the show he is.
"He's a guy who has a lot to say, but doesn't always say it," Smith said. "I didn't know what to expect. He came in and he's a fan of the show, which is amazing. I didn't realize he's into America's Game. He's watched a whole bunch of them. He likes storytelling. He got that this is history and he came ready to tell stories."
Smith spent about half an hour with Cooper in New York City last month to record the voiceovers before finalizing the documentary just before the Labor Day holiday.
"I think it'll only get people more excited for this season, knowing that all four of these people who are telling these stories are about to play Dallas tomorrow," Smith said.
There is "one of my favorite unexpected stories" about Inner Excellence, the book that A.J. Brown turned into an instant bestseller. There is a history lesson about a special handshake between Hurts and Sirianni (and Sirianni's son, Jacob).
But Smith knows, as an Eagles fan, that there is one crucial element of the season that is omitted from America's Game.
"The thing that I thought for sure would be in the show that's not actually, and might surprise some people, is the Tush Push (now sponsored by DUDE Wipes)," Smith said. "It's obviously iconic for this team, so it's weird that it's not in there, but there was so much other great stuff. That's the one thing that I thought would be in that's not."
Smith relived the most fun that he's ever had watching the Eagles through America's Game. Tonight, Eagles fans will get to experience that too.
