By David Weinberg
Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat approached the team’s equipment staff at the NovaCare Complex before training camp and inquired about changing his uniform number.
“I just needed a change,” said Sweat, who wore 94 for his first six seasons. “Just like when I cut my hair. I just wanted to feel new.”
He inquired about No. 15, but quickly learned that Steve Van Buren’s number is one of nine that have been retired by the team.
Next, he asked about No. 9, the number he wore at both Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia and Florida State University.
“I tried to get 15, but that ‘jank’ was retired like back in 1950,” Sweat said. “And I can’t get 9 now.”
No Eagle has worn No. 9 since quarterback Nick Foles’ magical tenures with the franchise ended after the 2018 season. And it sounds like it will be joining Jason Kelce’s 62 and Fletcher Cox’s 91 in the retirement list soon.
That’s indicative of the impact Foles, who officially announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this month, had on the franchise during his five seasons (2012-14, 2017-18) in Philadelphia.
He will be honored at the Eagles’ home opener against Atlanta Septю 16 at Lincoln Financial Field.
“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagles,” owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement.
“He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and of course, a Super Bowl champion. As important as he was under center, it was his positive demeanor, his approachability, and kindness towards others that resonated with everyone and continues to speak to his great character.”
I got a first-hand look at his compassion and selflessness during training camp in 2018.
After a practice, several fans had gathered near the entrance to the NovaCare Complex in search of autographs. One of them was then-Somers Point resident Kendall Williamson, who was there with her mother, Cindy, and grandfather, Stanley.
Kendall, who was 7 and a half at the time, had been diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy when she was 2. MLD is an incurable genetic disease that aggressively attacks the nervous system. Over the years, Kendall had lost the ability to speak, eat and move.
Foles climbed over a rope, walked into the hospitality tent, and posed for pictures with the family.
Sadly, Kendall passed away on June 12, 2022 at age 11.
“When you see parents and children in those situations, it just breaks my heart,” Foles said in 2018. “There is more to life than this game. If I can put a little bit of joy in someone’s life who is going through tough times, that’s more important to me than any pass I complete.”
On the field, he completed 1,445 passes in his NFL career, including 891 for the Eagles. That included a NFL-record-tying seven touchdown passes at Oakland in 2013 – he threw 27 TDs and just two interceptions that season – an NFL-record-tying 25 consecutive completions at Washington in 2018, and of course his amazing performance while outdueling Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII.
The stats are especially impressive considering he began most of those seasons as a backup.
He took over in 2013 after Michael Vick went down with a hamstring injury and led the team to the playoffs. In 2017, Carson Wentz was lost to a torn ACL. Foles responded with his epic effort that wound up giving the Eagles their first-ever Super Bowl win.
A year later, Wentz went down again, this time with a back injury. Defensive end Chris Long lent his support by building a shrine to Foles in the locker room. It included candles, a framed picture of Foles from his days with the Rams, and a personalized copy of Foles’ book, “Believe It.”
“I don’t think he likes the attention,” Long said at the time. “But it’s not about attention. It’s about energy. He always shows up big for us.”
He did, on and off the field.
Van Buren’s 15 is among nine on the Eagles list, along with 5 (Donovan McNabb), 20 (Brian Dawkins), 40 (Tom Brookshier), 44 (Pete Retzlaff), 60 (Chuck Bednarik), 70 (Al Wistert), 92 (Reggie White), 99 (Jerome Brown).
Kelce’s 62 and Cox’s (91) will almost certainly be added to the list in the near future.
Foles’ 9 should join them. He won’t be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Eagles’ Hall of Fame is probably a long shot. But there is no questioning his impact and relationship with his teammates, coaches, city and the fans.
“The City of Brotherly Love has always felt like home to me as an NFL player,” Foles said. “Philadelphia is a city I truly love and it has been an honor to wear to wear the Eagles jersey.
“Thank you for embracing me and making me a part of your family forever. Your love and support have meant the world. Fly, Eagles, Fly!”
He put the “Special” in “Philly Special.”
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
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