Don’t Worry, Malcolm, We’ll Always Be Friends
Dear Malcolm,
We want to start out by saying thank you. Not just for the moments and memories, but for you understand what it meant to be the embodiment of a Philadelphia Eagle.
While this is a tough moment for each of us, we’re sure you know this isn’t our first time reading this story. We understand that it’s a business and sometimes where it may not always be the most popular decision, in this world tough decisions have to be made.
Still, in the six years of our relationship, we were able to see the pleasures of success and the beauty in failure. We’ll be the first to admit, you helped us dodge a bullet. For years after the release of Brian Dawkins, we clamored for the team to address the position in a significant way. If you would have told us in 2014 that Malcolm Jenkins over Jarius Byrd and T.J. Ward was the right call, you’d probably would have gotten some negative feedback.
But see, that’s what makes you different. The chatter never affected you; the boo’s never hurt you. You always understood our point of view.
The trait you and us shared, the passion and desire to be great.
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We’ve always watched you, even if it was from a distance. A young man coming up from East Orange, New Jersey trying to make a name for himself. We watched as he travels to Columbus to become a three-time All-Big 10, two time All-American, and the Thorpe Award, winner. A lockdown cornerback; arguably the best in the nation, and the heart and soul of the Buckeye defense. How you never wavered after being drafted to New Orleans, despite all of the criticism surrounding you and your development. See the decision to return to New Orleans is understandable. So much familiarity and the opportunity was presented, we get it. It’s a business! That doesn’t make us any happier about it, but understand this isn’t any sense of hate or bitterness towards you. It’s more of a case of disappointment. Disappointed that all good things eventually must come to an end
Just look at the speech you gave to the team before the NFC Championship game against Minnesota. How you challenged the veterans and embraced the young players, encouraging them to stand up to the moment. Then once the game was out of reach, you were part of the men to give Coach Pederson his Gatorade bath and the first to greet him.
The hit you put on Brandin Cooks in the Super Bowl! We were sure that Cooks would fly through the television screen.
What about the 99-yard interception against the Patriots in 2015?
Third and goal from the five tied 14-14 in the middle of the third. Brady from the gun, drops back, fires, and guess who’s there? You.
Giving us our first lead of the night, saving the day like you’ve done on numerous occasions. To us, Brian Dawkins will always be perfect, but you’re the only man to ever come close to perfection.
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Even in a world with a revolving door of players, for over 6,700 snaps (99%) the one player that you could count on was you, Malcolm. For six years, 106 consecutive games including the playoffs, you were always there. Numbers are cool, I mean Nick Foles once threw 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in one year but that’s not why he’s revered in Philadelphia. It’s the legacy he left behind. There goes that “L Word” you mentioned. Well if that’s is what your biggest goal, to leave behind a legacy of your own, consider it mission accomplished my friend.
As you said “We’re already legendary. We showed up legendary.”
See your legacy is bigger than the impact you made on the field. “We all we got. We all we need.”
Your words, words that hold value outside of the game. I mean just look at the Community Hero award your receiver at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Black and Gold gala. The countless hours trying to create change for no only the defense but the community can only be recognized as phenomenal. The constant work you put in was always noticed and hopefully, we as fans did enough to show you just how much you were appreciated while you were here.
This isn’t goodbye, this is only see you later. When you run out of the visitors’ tunnel at “The Linc” later this year, remember you’ll always be an Eagle. We’ll always be connected in more ways than one. We both have an exciting future ahead of us, sadly it has to be apart. But to answer your question…. of course Malcolm, we’ll always be friends.
Sincerely,
From one fighter to another.
-Philadelphia
Featured Image: Malcolm Jenkins
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