The Eagles held their annual Salute to Service game on Sunday night against the Lions. But before the action started between the two NFC heavyweights, there were fireworks on the field.
Eric Ziegler, who filmed the viral sideline reaction of Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle, messaged the Eagles' social team ahead of the game and asked if they could help him propose to his girlfriend, Heather Moore.
The Eagles provided Ziegler, Moore, and their two friends sideline passes ahead of kickoff. After a couple of minutes taking in the atmosphere, Ziegler got on one knee and proposed. Moore, of course, said yes!
"My adrenaline is rushing. It's great," Ziegler said moments after proposing. "Just the excitement, the anxiety, everything. It's just overwhelming."
"Definitely sensory overload, emotional overload," Moore added with a smile. "The experience is absolutely amazing."
Both Ziegler (Marines) and Moore (Air Force) are veterans and shared this moment on a day where the Eagles honored the military, which made Sunday night all the more special.
"Serving our country is one thing we took pride in when we did. Just being down here during the Salute to Service, I have so much pride for the Eagles and what they do, and especially what they do for autism [with the Eagles Autism Foundation]," said Ziegler, who has two sons with autism. "... It's just an absolutely awesome experience."
"It's definitely an honor to be able to serve my country and to be able to come home and then have this experience [on] the Eagles' field," Moore said.
The Eagles' involvement with Salute to Service didn't stop there, though. Here are some events the Eagles ran ahead of Sunday Night Football:
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting numerous events with veterans, such as a Military Movie Night, visiting a VA Hospital, playing a Military Flag Football Game, and more.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
The Eagles celebrated Salute to Service by hosting multiple events throughout the week.
Military Flag Football Game presented by Toyota
The Eagles and Toyota teamed up with the United Service Organization (USO) to recognize the military with a flag football game at the NovaCare Complex on Veterans Day. Those in attendance were coached by Eagles legends Jason Avant and William Thomas with SWOOP and the Eagles Cheerleaders supporting them from the sideline.
"We're here today on Veterans Day to celebrate our men and women of the military," said John Wayne Troxell of Hiring Our Heroes. "The Eagles have been so gracious to honor our military by saying, 'Hey, let's bring some veterans in on Veterans Day, let's have a friendly flag football game out here.' It's all designed to honor the service of those men and women."
Eagles players, Janney volunteers visit VA Hospital
In partnership with Janney, the Eagles visited the Philadelphia VA Hospital to spend time with veterans. Moro Ojomo, Nakobe Dean, Darius Cooper, Jihaad Campbell, and Cal Adomitis were each there, along with Eagles Cheerleaders and SWOOP.
Everyone chatted with the veterans, who enjoyed the company during a bingo game, and Janney also donated $5,000 to the VA Hospital.
"What an amazing day," said John Yackel, Executive Vice President/Head of Wealth Management at Janney. "... We had a couple of players and SWOOP, and the excitement here has just been tremendous with the impact of our military affinity group at Janney Montgomery Scott, here spending a lot of time with the patients and our players and veterans."
Campbell's Chunky hosts Military Movie Night
The Eagles and Campbell's Chunky came together to host a movie night at Lincoln Financial Field. The event featured dinner, an on-field photo opportunity, raffle prizes, and a private screening of Lilo + Stitch.
Members of the USO and their families were in attendance, along with representatives from Campbell's Chunky and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS is a national nonprofit organization that provides compassionate care and comprehensive resources to those grieving the loss of a military or veteran loved one.
Blanket Making for Veterans
Fifty Eagles employees came together at Lincoln Financial Field to create roughly 100 blankets and letters, which were donated to the USO. Eagles Salute to Service nominee Lindsay Hartig and several Cheerleaders also participated in the event. — Written by Matt Ryan
