John Stewart's story is what Saturday's Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial is all about. His son, Jack, soon to be 11 years old, was introduced to flag football this season and loved the game, loved the camaraderie, loved the fun. That was Step 1 for Stewart, a lifelong Eagles fan from Delaware County now living in Los Angeles.
Step 2 was an ambitious one, but something that Stewart felt so strongly about that he booked a family flight to Philadelphia for the 8th Annual Eagles Autism Challenge Weekend and was out there on Saturday morning, taking part in the Sensory Walk with Jack and, frankly, loving that his vision was coming true.
Acceptance. Comfort. Confidence.
"I wanted him to see what it was like having other peers," Stewart said. "He's been in a mainstream school – we just recently pulled him out and put him into a private school – but he doesn't have a lot of friends that he sees that are also high-functioning autistic and understand what that means. I wanted him to experience this and I wanted it to be with the team that we love and with the team that loves him. I wanted him to feel that love.
"He's all in on the Eagles and has been since Day 1. For a kid who is growing up in L.A. and who has never been here – this is his first trip to Philadelphia – I just felt like it was important for him to see it and feel it. I think it is truly unique and special and it makes me even more proud to be a fan. It's in my blood and I would be a fan, anyway, but to have a son that is autistic and to know that the team that I care so much about actually cares about him means so much to me."
The Stewart family was part of the 7,266 participants on Saturday morning – a record turnout in the eighth year of the incredible community event – at Lincoln Financial Field and it was, as usual, incredible, inspiring. A total team effort that raised more than $10 million, taking the total above $40 million in eight years to bring awareness to action for autism.
"I think the way this year started – it was different than any other," said Ryan Hammond, the Executive Director of Eagles Autism Foundation. "We began the season in South America, in Brazil, and the Eagles Autism Foundation mobilized. We held a scientific symposium, brought researchers together. We had an All Abilities Football Camp. It felt special from that point alone. And then we had the kind of season we had, making the Super Bowl, and the Foundation was such an important part of that run. We worked with the League and made the Super Bowl more inclusive – it was incredible to be on the ride with the team.
"We made sure that access was available to everyone. And then we won the game and had a parade down Broad Street that was sensory friendly. That's the power of the Eagles brand and the authenticity of what the Foundation is doing. All of that enthusiasm and so many fans who want to have a special connection with the team and here we are – a record year for the Eagles Autism Challenge and now making a global impact. To hear from these families for all of these years about the impact that we're making – every dollar we are bringing in is making a difference."
Saturday was just, once again, a sight to behold. There were people from Australia, Sweden, Mexico, Colombia, and from every corner of the United States, on hand. They wanted to be there to support their football team, their cause, their families.
It is everything Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie envisioned when he bought the Eagles in 1994: Lombardi Trophies on the main concourse for the fans to see and take pictures with, and a global community coming together to change the world.
Eagles Everywhere.
"In so many ways, this has been a special year, and now the success of the 2025 Eagles Autism Challenge is the latest accomplishment," Lurie said.. "We have continued to hit record-breaking numbers each year since 2018, which is a testament to the support and contributions of everyone involved. On behalf of the Eagles, we sincerely thank our participants, donors, volunteers, and partners – including Lincoln Financial – for their ongoing commitment to turning awareness into action for the autism community."
"Such a fun event, a great morning," Stewart said as Jack bopped up and down, bounced around to the music inside the bowl on the field at Lincoln Financial Field after finishing the Sensory Walk, a 5K event that was jam-packed with families. "We feel like a part of it. Coming from Los Angeles, joining the Eagles today, this was everything I could have hoped for. I'm just so happy for my son and everyone here – it's a giant party where everyone shows so much love."
