For many players and coaches in the NFL, their high school coaches were the most influential people in their lives, helping to shape them on and off the field.
On Wednesday evening, the Eagles put local high school coaches at the forefront during their annual High School Coaches Clinic, presented by Onrise.
"I can't tell you how much I respect what you guys do," said Head Coach Nick Sirianni, as he welcomed hundreds of coaches to Lincoln Financial Field. "You are all major influences. I know you guys can change lives."
"This event means a lot to those who coach at the high school football level," said Jack Muldoon, Boys Varsity Football Coach at Monsignor Bonner. "From the valuable information we get to the investment that the Eagles show, it's hard to put into words, this is such a great opportunity."
Running Backs/Assistant Head Coach Jemal Singleton served as the event's keynote speaker. Along with talking about ball security and football fundamentals, Singleton's main message was about connection.
Plastered all over the NovaCare Complex are the Eagles' core values. The No. 1 value that the players, coaches, and staff live by is connection. Creating those connections in the building and off the field leads to chemistry and success on the field, which is why building relationships with each player on a personal level is so important for coaches on the Eagles' staff.
"To me, it's the first step for every player that walks in my room. I got to start building that relationship; I got to start connecting," Singleton said.
"That's what stuck out most to me," Muldoon said. "If you can prove to these guys your value, next thing you know, they are coming to you and they respect what you stand for."
Singleton shared a quote with the group that he has taken to heart during his career – "Players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Singleton shared this quote during his presentation to the high school football coaches as he continued to promote building relationships and connecting with players.
"I agree that if any player doesn't know you care, doesn't know you love him, is not going to learn from you," said Eric Moran, Offensive Line Coach at Martin Luther King High School. "That was definitely the biggest piece that he talked about."
Before they talk ball or get on the practice field, Singleton makes a valiant effort to make a deep connection and build rapport with new players. In his running back room, Singleton has several new faces, Saquon Barkley, Tyrion Davis-Price, Kendall Milton, and Will Shipley.
Singleton recently had the running backs over to his farm to give them a break from football and create special bonds outside of the building with his new players.
"It starts with time," Singleton said. "It's building that not-football time, we are going to have plenty of time to talk football. You build those relationships by learning about them and understanding their interests, hobbies, and life stories."
Singleton has a unique life story himself. He was born on a military base in Turkey, lived in England for 10 years, and spent time living in Germany and Italy, before settling down with his parents in San Antonio, Texas.
It was during his time at Taft High School in San Antonio when he found a group of coaches that changed his life and football career.
"They did so much for me, I am here today because of them," Singleton said. "They took time out of their lives to connect with me and show me what leadership was."
Players have applauded Singleton for "never changing" and always being a fun, get-after-it coach who is about working hard and connecting with players. In his ninth year as an NFL coach, Singleton runs meetings the same way now that he ran back in 2006 at the United States Air Force Academy.
Singleton encouraged the coaches in attendance to stay true to themselves and never change who they are because that leads to better connections and relationships with players.
"You get to coach a game that has so many built-in life values," Singleton said. "When you talk about discipline, when you talk about perseverance, when we talk about all the things that are required to build a team and work together, all those things apply to what we do in our lives every day. The value that you guys have, the impact that you have on young men, is unbelievable."
