Philadelphia Schools Hold Pep Rallies for Jalen Hurts
Students across the city honored the Eagles quarterback after his season-ending medical diagnosis.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy

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Philadelphia students held pep rallies and created get-well cards to show support for Jalen Hurts following his diagnosis with deep vein thrombosis. The community effort serves as a gesture of gratitude for the athlete's charitable investments in local education infrastructure.
Why it matters
The display of support highlights the impact of Hurts and his foundation on city schools that previously lacked modern climate control systems. Students aimed to return the kindness shown by the quarterback through his recent donations.
The Jalen Hurts Foundation finalized a $600,000 donation for a new HVAC system at Northeast High School last month. This follows a 2024 installation project at Clara Barton Elementary, which previously relied on temporary cooling solutions.
The players
Jalen Hurts
He is a professional quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles who has become active in local philanthropy.
Swoop
He is the official mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles football team.
The details
Students at Clara Barton Elementary, Feltonville Intermediate, and Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences crafted posters and cards for the quarterback. Representatives from the schools gathered the materials and delivered them to the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop, to ensure they reached the athlete.
Timeline
2024: Jalen Hurts Foundation installed an HVAC system at Clara Barton Elementary.
September 2026: The foundation finalized a $600,000 HVAC donation for Northeast High School.
October 19, 2026: Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.
October 26, 2026: Local students held pep rallies and created cards to support the quarterback.
Market Landscape
The school community's response follows the precedent established by the 2024 Jalen Hurts Foundation HVAC installations. This initiative highlights a broader trend of athletes directly funding essential public school infrastructure in urban districts.
The donations provide long-term improvements to classroom cooling systems at several Philadelphia schools. These upgrades aim to replace temporary cooling units with permanent infrastructure to benefit current and future students.
The takeaway
The events demonstrate the lasting impact professional athletes can have when they address specific local infrastructure needs. Supporters are encouraged to channel their appreciation for community figures into long-term charitable involvement.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts in the Philanthropy section.
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