Nancy and Patrick Farren sat down for a Zoom call in October, thinking they were going to chat with the Eagles Autism Foundation regarding the resources it provides. However, when they got on the call, they were met by Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie.
Shock immediately set in.
Alongside EAF Executive Director Ryan Hammond, Lurie announced that the Farren family was the winner of the organization's Super Bowl LIX ring giveaway. The nearly three-month sweepstakes saw almost 20,000 entries raise more than $700,000 to the Eagles Autism Foundation.
"[We were] taken aback at first. We literally were staring at the screen like, 'Is this real?' This is just too unbelievable," Patrick said. "We still didn't know why they were there. ... The concept of winning never even dawned on our imagination."
The Farren family will be gifted the ring for the Eagles' Black Friday game against the Chicago Bears. Nancy and Patrick will be there along with their three children, Teddy, Andy, and Fiona.
The Farren family has been familiar with EAF for a while, and after 8-year-old Andy was diagnosed with autism a year and a half ago, their involvement has increased. Andy attended the All-Abilities S.T.E.M. clinic recently and is looking forward to using the one-of-a-kind sensory room at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.
"The research that the Eagles Autism Foundation is doing, the resources that are made available, the events, like the All-Abilities S.T.E.M. Clinic or the many other things that they put on, just brings awareness around (autism)," Nancy said.
"[...] Once we did finally get a diagnosis [for Andy], you feel a little bit alone as a parent. I think we maybe felt a little lost and a little bit alone and not sure what the next step was."
Patrick and his oldest son, Teddy, first got wind of the sweepstakes when watching an Eagles preseason game and a commercial for the ring popped up. The family decided to donate, giving an amount that guaranteed a photo opportunity with the Lombardi Trophies right around Teddy's 12th birthday.
The Farrens figured at the very least they would get to do that and donate to EAF, but winning the actual ring never crossed their mind.
"A lot of times in life, things don't connect to you personally," Patrick said. "You see some fundraiser, and it doesn't connect with you personally, but this connects with us on a very personal basis. It's really powerful that we're seeing the team that we love and support having it all over the field.
"We see all of the events that are put out there to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation and players like Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, Jake Elliott, they're really all in on supporting this cause that directly impacts our son. We certainly appreciate the Eagles Autism Foundation and support from the team and the Owner, Jeffrey Lurie."
After the call with Lurie, the Farren family prepared to tell their children. The plan was to hold off until Patrick got home from work, but they couldn't wait, FaceTiming Patrick in for the announcement.
The entire family was elated, and on Friday it will come full circle when they receive the ring.
"It is both fitting and rewarding to learn that the lucky winners are lifelong Eagles fans, proud members of the Philadelphia community, and longtime supporters of the Eagles Autism Foundation," Hammond said. "We are grateful to have opportunities like this where we can bring fans closer to our team, while also helping to transform the lives of individuals and families affected by autism around the world." — Written by Matt Ryan
