Carson Wentz Preaches The Power Of Giving Back At AO1 Foundation Charity Softball Game
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is most known for his play on the field, but for Wentz, his ability to give back is what defines him the most. At his second annual AO1 Foundation Charity Softball Game, Wentz was able to take another step in helping those in need.
After an incredible showing last year by fans, with an estimated 22,000 people attending, Wentz and his teammates hit the Citizens Bank Park field again to put on a show. Before the festivities, though, Wentz held a press conference to talk about the progress of his foundation and what it means to him.
Wentz was first and foremost appreciative of his teammates for coming out and participating in the event. All in all, 31 Eagles players came out to play in the game, including Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, and more. Malcolm Jenkins, who skipped OTAs, likely due to complaints with his contract, also came to the event, but he did not play. Former Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith was in attendance as well.
Wentz then got into the details of his foundation and its importance. Thanks to money raised by Wentz and the AO1 Foundation, a soccer field was able to be put into works in Haiti. Wentz said that turf is starting to get put on the ground, and he believes it will be “eye-opening” for the kids to be able to experience that. Before Wentz came up with the idea to build the soccer field in Haiti, he took a visit to the country after his rookie season with the Eagles. That trip, according to Wentz, made him realize just how many people truly need aid, and inspired him to help out there.
After briefly mentioning “Thy Kingdom Crumb”, a food truck started by Wentz and the AO1 Foundation that offers free food in the Delaware Valley, Wentz got into some details about some of his future plans for the food truck idea. With hopes of the continued success of the first food truck along with money brought in by events such as the charity softball game, Wentz plans on opening more food trucks and locating them all across the country. All in all, Wentz is glad he’s been able to start such a useful and easy way for those in need to get free food.
“It’s been a really cool opportunity to help give free food to people and help save lives,” Wentz said.
This is when Wentz got into his true motivation in giving back.
Wentz said that kids like Lukas Kusters, also known as the Dutch Destroyer, is why he is inspired to give back to kids everywhere. Kusters was a die-hard Eagles fan who unfortunately died after a battle with stomach cancer. Kusters gave Wentz a bracelet of his, which read “The Dutch Destroyer”, which Wentz wears for every game. After passing, Kusters was buried in a Wentz jersey.
Kids like Kusters also make Wentz realize his greatness on the field, but he knows he’s at his most powerful when he’s helping others. Wentz said his life has a purpose bigger than just football, and part of that is giving back.
However, Wentz couldn’t help himself to take a little time to talk about how much he enjoys it in Philadelphia in terms of a football standpoint.
“I could not have gone to a better city that fits my personality, ” Wentz said. “The blue caller work ethic, the passion. I absolutely love it here.”
In total, Wentz’s message was simple: he believes there is nothing more rewarding than living for Jesus Christ. Though not everyone has the same viewpoint as him, Wentz feels that his religiousness has set him up to bless people both physically and spiritually.
Wentz then transitioned into talking about his status in the softball game.
Unfortunately, the star of the show in Wentz did not participate in any of the festivities on the field, but Wentz envisioned himself if he were.
“If I were playing, I probably would be playing shortstop, like I did in high school, and batting third,” Wentz said.
This offseason, the big topic surrounding Wentz was his health, and he was a full-go for OTAs. For further confirmation os positiveness surrounding his health, Wentz said he took some swings before the press conference and he felt good.
Once it was time for the nights events to get underway, fans piled in, and piled in quickly.
Though fans fell short of matching the attendance from last season, it was still an impressive showing, considering it is just a charity softball game in May. For other fanbases, they likely don’t come close to the amount of Eagles fans that showed up for such an event, which is a true testament to the passion of Eagles fans.
In total, 15,000 fans were in attendance for the event, and $500,000 was raised. In two years, with the great support of fans, the AO1 Foundation raises $1.35 million through the charity softball game.
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There were fans packed in the seats, fans packed into bathroom lines, and fans packed into the concession stands. The night was about raising money, but it was also about giving fans an up close and personal look of their favorite team.
The first event was the home run derby. Offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski was the defending champion, but this time around, it was kicker Jake Elliot and tight end Richard Rodgers battling it out for the title.
Elliot hit a whopping 13 home runs in the first round, but he was edged out by Rodgers in the championship round for this years HR Derby title.
After a short break, the main event, which was the softball game, got underway.
There were lots of errors, lots of hits, and lots of runs. Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill got the night started with a two-run home run for Team Defense. Team Defense got off to a quick start, with them up 4-0, but Team Offense had a quick answer, putting up 4 runs in the bottom of the second.
Newly-acquired wide receiver DeSean Jackson drew a big applause tonight, but his night quickly took a turn for the worst after he dropped two routine fly balls. However, fans did get a sneak peak at Jackson and Wentz’s handshake for this upcoming season.
After trading runs back and forth, Team Defense entered the bottom of the 6th, the last and final inning, with a three-run lead. Team Offense clawed it’s way back, with the home run derby champion in Rodgers coming up to the plate with a chance to win it. On the very first swing, Rodgers put another ball into the left-field stands, and Team Offense won 17-16.
After the game, fans were treated to fireworks, which capped off a successful night for Wentz and the AO1 Foundation.
Photos: Mike Kruce/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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