The Eagles and NFL are committed to providing a more inclusive environment to people on the autism spectrum.
The NFL is partnering with KultureCity, a nonprofit specializing in helping venues optimize for sensory inclusivity, to build a permanent sensory room at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., that will be completed prior to Super Bowl 2023 between the Eagles and Chiefs.
Eagles owner, chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie has been at the vanguard of working with the league to bring about sensory inclusivity.
“This weekend is truly a full-circle moment for the Eagles Autism Foundation. Five years ago, when we were in Minnesota for Super Bowl 52, the Eagles Autism Challenge was in its infancy stage,” Lurie told The Post. “It wasn’t until nearly a year and a half later that the Eagles Autism Foundation was formed. Now, five years later, as we approach Super Bowl 57, the Eagles Autism Foundation is closing in on $20 million raised for cutting-edge autism research and care programs. Over that time, we have allocated every dollar to the funding of 85 research projects and community grants.
“The Eagles Autism Foundation has been authentically woven into our brand; it is who we are. We have made it a point of emphasis to create and promote inclusion throughout all facets of the organization – fan experiences, a sensory room at Lincoln Financial Field, Eagles Kids Club activities, football clinics, and one of the most important needs of the community, employment. We are proud of the progress made but know there is more work to do.”
Lurie opened up about what his goals are for the future of the foundation.
“Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the country,” he said. “The prevalence of autism has gone from one in 65 children to one in 44 in just the last few years. Yet, historically, it continues to be significantly underfunded, misunderstood and under-researched. There are far too many families who don’t have a voice that need help. We are dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and care programs so that every individual and family has the resources they need. With greater public awareness and advocacy, we can get there.
“What comes with that, though, is the need for more education and understanding around the fact that individuals with autism have much to offer society and can contribute in many different ways. It is inspiring to see how the Eagles Autism Foundation has rallied our global fanbase around a common purpose. By shifting the conversation from awareness to action, we will be able to advance autism research together.”
NFL spokesperson Alex Riethmiller told The Post that the league is committed to having sensory rooms at every Super Bowl going forward, and that they also have a presence at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center.
“For the third year in a row KultureCity is set up at SBX with their SAVE vehicle, a sensory safe space within SBX for those who need it,” Riethmiller said. “Based off of previous numbers 150 sensory bags were sent to SBX for the week. This past weekend all 150 bags were distributed so clearly there is a big need in this community.
“In additional response to this, our production company also did some ideating around this and going forward, to better serve our fans with this particular type of special needs, a specific wristband that will be distributed from the KultureCity activation. This wristband will allow those individuals to access the SBXtra queue and will be a discreet signal to our teammates, staff and security that special care should be taken with these fans.”
Lurie told The Athletic in 2019 about the horrifying experience of seeing his younger brother, Peter, being terrified by the presence of a dog in a hotel elevator.
“To see someone so terror-stricken, we rushed out at the next floor,” Lurie said. “Just horribly terror-stricken. That was a low point to see that.
“It was and is a huge puzzle, like why? Why? And there were things that he was extraordinary at and others that we just didn’t even know what he would understand because he couldn’t feed it back to us. We couldn’t really understand it. So, it was so frustrating and puzzling and heartbreaking, and yet there was so much positive about my brother.”
The Eagles and KultureCity built a sensory inclusive room at Lincoln Financial Field in 2019.
“It helps people calm down when they’re sad and whenever they need a break they need to come here,” Max Hershman, a 15-year-old Eagles fan, who sometimes needs a break from the loud environment at the stadium, told CBS Philadelphia this week.
Lurie said affected families have been very appreciative of the sensory room.
“The feedback has been tremendous,” he told The Post. “It goes back to that full circle moment. The opportunity to support sensory inclusion in Arizona for Super Bowl weekend is what our mission is about – to assist those currently affected, as well as future generations. It’s a testament to the effort put in by our staff, led by our foundation’s executive director Ryan Hammond, who works tirelessly to bring these conversations to the forefront. Groundbreaking partnerships, such as the one with Kulture City, has led to our logo being featured on sensory bags at State Farm Stadium, the NFL Experience, and the Super Bowl Music Fest.
“On Saturday, we will be cutting the ribbon on a new sensory space at the Footprint Center. We are thankful for everyone who has stepped up and joined us on this journey – Eagles fans, the autism community, supporters, and donors. We hope to change a culture and create more acceptance and opportunities for those with autism.”
