Eagles Hall of Famer saves the day for youth football team

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame legend stepped up in a big way this week to make sure the game went on for some local youngsters.

Three and a half weeks ago, someone broke into the storage sheds of the Chester Township Youth football team, stealing $5,000 worth of equipment that 200 kids, football players and cheerleaders count on.

"Everyone knows when you have a youth organization, all the funding comes from tagging, fundraisers, and things like that," Councilman William Morgan told FOX 29. "It was very devastating."

Bad news circulated fast, so when former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski heard about it, he knew he had to help.

Just before half time, the Chester Cougars--who were invited to Saturday night's Philadelphia Soul football game--Jaworksi presented the team with a check so that it can purchase brand new equipment.

"People are going to be matching our donations, so it's very exciting," Jaworski said. "These kids are going to be back on the field, playing football, the coaches coaching and the cheerleaders cheering."

The act of kindness wasn't lost on the team of young boys. And the lesson learned clearly extended beyond football. Cougars Coach Breton Simmons put it this way:

"You just gotta use it as a learning experience for the kids, let them understand that you're gonna face obstacles in life, but you'll bounce back if you persevere."