The Philadelphia Eagles have decided to induct five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent and long-time team ticket manager Leo Carlin into the team’s Hall of Fame at halftime of their Monday night battle with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on November 26. The game will be televised on ESPN and the ceremony will take place during halftime of the game.
It should be quite a night because big years are expected of both the Eagles and the Panthers.
“This is the ultimate honor, especially growing up 20 miles from Veterans Stadium”, said Vincent. “To be considered one of the finest young men to ever put on an Eagles uniform and to participate and play for the Eagles means a lot to myself and my family.”
“Troy Vincent was one of the best defensive players to ever put on an Eagles uniform”, said Eagles Chairman/Owner Jeffrey Lurie. “He was both a great playmaker and a true shutdown corner, but what raised his greatness to another level was the way he approached the game. He was a spokesman for the defense and his leadership set the tone for both the younger players on the team and the veterans. He has taken that same passion and intensity into the next phase of his life as Vice President of Player Engagement for the NFL, where he continues to help former and current players succeed off the field.”
Vincent said the Hall of Fame was the last thing he was thinking about when he saw that the Eagles were giving him a call.
“I was in a cab, and the first thing I thought when I saw that number come up…I knew it was the Philadelphia Eagles organization. Frankly, my mind went to, ‘What happened? What do we need to get done?’ I didn’t get a text from [head] coach [Andy] Reid, or [player services assistant] Karen [Gerstle] or [director of player services] Harold Carmichael. I was just thinking that there’s a player issue or there was an appearance that they wanted me to speak at. My first response when I learned it was him was, ‘Is everything OK?’
Of course everything was fine.
You might not know much about Leo Carlin but he’s a gem of a guy, who is the ultimate people person. He’s been with the Eagles for over five decades and you couldn’t meet a better person. I got the chance to get a better look at the kind of person Leo last year at an event where they were honoring him and I met an amazing number of people who he had helped in someway.
Carlin has helped thousands of people and his big heart has always been a bright light shining in the Eagles organization. I haven’t met many people but very few with the character and giving spirit of Leo Carlin.
Well deserved.