On Wednesday, the NFLPA named Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod the 2022 Alan Page Community Award winner.
The Alan Page Community Award is the organization’s highest honor as it recognizes one player each year who has demonstrated dedication to positively impact the team’s city and surrounding communities across the league. NFL peers select the winner by casting a ballot.
Since McLeod joined the Eagles in 2016, he has made an impact throughout the City of Philadelphia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, McLeod donated $25,000 to Philabundance to provide meals for those struggling with hunger. This year he pledged $20,000 toward educational programs, focus ground, and curriculum at Constitution High School and Hill-Freedman World Academy. McLeod also hosted his Change Our Future Foundation’s Inaugural Art and Sole Sneaker Ball, raising more than $205,000 to update STEM and Black history curriculum in local schools.
McLeod stated, “I hope stories like mine will inspire others to pour back into their communities, forming leaders of change. Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
Moving into 2022, McLeod was involved in the launch of the Eagles’ End Philly Gun Violence campaign along with his fellow teammates.
“Ever since I arrived in Philadelphia as a free agent in 2016, this has been my home,” McLeod said. “It hurts to see so much heartache and suffering in our communities as a result of these senseless acts of violence. We are losing family members, friends, mentors, role models, and future leaders because of the gun violence in our streets. No one should ever have to live in fear or going to school, hanging out at the playground, or just walking out the front door. Yet, for so many in our communities, they do.”
Rodney McLeod is the fifth Eagles player to receive this honor. He joins Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Vincent.
The NFLPA is donating $100,000 to Change Our Future, the foundation run by the 31-year-old and his wife, Erika. The McLeod’s founded the organization in 2020 with the goal to empower others through education, advocacy, and awareness. It focuses on areas of youth development, healthy lifestyles, and community enrichment.