Eagles’ Superfan to the Rescue: Celebrity Supporter Offers to Pay Fine, Sparks Charitable Cause
Even after the Super Bowl, the NFL will still enforce its rules.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt received an “unsportsmanlike conduct” fine worth $5,690 for his bow-and-arrow sack celebration during his team’s 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
The league claimed it was a “violent gesture” but one celebrity super fan of the team offered to step in and pay Hunt’s fine.
Actor and co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C., Rob McElhenney, quoted a post on X reporting the news on Sunday in an attempt to get in touch with Hunt.
Hunt posted later thanking McElhenney for his offer but said he would still pay the fine. Instead, Hunt challenged McElhenney to donate the fine amount to a charitable cause close to his heart.“
I appreciate y’all reaching out about pay the fine,” Hunt wrote. “But if y’all are serious about it let’s make a deal… I’ll pay the fine and y’all send the money to a great cause I learned about from my barber in Philly.”
He linked to a fundraiser for “Barbers Who Care,” raising money to support “select students” at Boys Latin of Philadelphia High School to visit colleges.
McElhenney promptly replied with proof of his donation, exciting Hunt who answered, “Man of your word! This is amazing, thank you.”
The attention their exchange brought to the fundraiser helped the organization exceed its goal of $20,000 in under 24 hours, per Hunt.
Perhaps Hunt’s example will set a trend for players to still take responsibility for their actions but also find ways to turn the sometimes frivolous penalties into positive.
