Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Jason Kelce Named 2023 John Wanamaker Athletic Award Co-Winners

PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, announced Jalen Hurts and Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles as 2023 John Wanamaker Athletic Award co-winners.

The award has been presented since 1961 to the athlete, team, or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and the team or sport in which they excel.

Hurts led the Eagles to a 14-3 regular season and an NFC East title in the 2022-2023 season. He was later named to his first career Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro, and was runner-up for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.

“It’s an honor to be the 2023 John Wanamaker Athletic Award recipient and to be recognized by PHL Sports at this level,” said Hurts.

“It means even more to receive this honor alongside my teammate and friend, Jason Kelce. He has played an integral role in my journey with the Philadelphia Eagles and is a key component of our team. I respect the DNA of Philadelphia, and I’m proud to represent the city wherever I go. The support that I have from the city and fans around the world propels me to excel in everything that I do. It’s really a Philly thing.”

Kelce was named a first-team All-Pro for the fifth time in his career last season. He was also named to his sixth career Pro Bowl and was a vital piece of the Eagles’ number-one-ranked running offense.

“It is an honor to be recognized by PHL Sports as a co-recipient of the prestigious John Wanamaker Athletic Award,” said Kelce.\

“What makes this even more rewarding for me personally is that I get to share it with Jalen – a great teammate, friend, and competitor who loves this city as much as I do. To be mentioned in the same breath as some of the past Wanamaker Award recipients is humbling. I want to thank PHL Sports once again for this recognition and would like to extend my congratulations to all the honorees this year.”

The David P. Montgomery Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Don DiJulia, former Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) vice president for athletics. In 2018, DiJulia completed his 50th year overall in college athletics and his 35th and last as SJU athletic director. During his tenure, DiJulia oversaw tremendous growth in the athletics programs, including the addition of five varsity programs and the enhancement of the student-athlete experience. A staple of the SJU community, he now serves as special assistant to the president, acting as representative of the university and president on campus to alumni and external constituents. He was also a longtime PHL Sports Advisory Board member.

Safe-Hub Philadelphia, an after-school sports program that serves children in the city’s Kensington neighborhood, has been named the Robert P. Levy Community Service Award winner. Founded in South Africa in 2007 and started in Philadelphia in 2019, Safe-Hub uses sport as a vehicle to bring young people together, empower the next generation of leaders, and rejuvenate community spaces. In Kensington, they offer a safe space to access high-quality after-school sports programs that create an ecosystem for meaningful and long-term social and economic change.

Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation named Foday Turay, team manager of Salone FC, as the Sports Volunteer of the Year.

Turay runs the soccer program at Connell and Suffolk Parks in Southwest Philadelphia and has organized the Sierra Leone men’s team in all seven of their appearances in the Philadelphia International Unity Cup.

“We are thrilled to recognize the best of the best in Philadelphia’s sports community,” said Gregg Caren, PHLCVB president and CEO.

“This year’s winners have made a huge impact on our community in their own ways and represent all the things we love about sports in Philadelphia – determination, heart, authenticity, and passion.”