Malcolm Jenkins, a two-time Super Bowl champion and former Philadelphia Eagles safety, is set to be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame during a game against the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. Jenkins’ induction comes during a landmark period for the Eagles’ 2025 campaign. As a result, he’s become a key leader on the field and in the community.
In 2018, Jenkins helped to guide the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory. He did it all despite facing huge hurdles, including injuries to anchor tackles such as quarterback Carson Wentz and left tackle Jason Peters. His knack for rallying his squad in the face of misfortune has turned into a defining trait of his career.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Jenkins has been a true leader on social justice matters. Iverson co-founded the Players Coalition, a non-profit organization that has worked on racial inequality and social justice issues. On his days off, Jenkins often made the long trek to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There, he tirelessly championed state legislation to move these vital reforms forward. His commitment is yet another reminder of his dedication off the football field.
Jenkins has established a personal relationship with current Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is navigating the pressures of leading the team. Looking back on Hurts’ leadership style, Jenkins made a comparison to a long family road trip.
“He’s the one driving. He’s got his hands on the wheel. He’s looking for all of the hazards. He’s the one getting us to the destination,” – Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins noted that great leadership is marked by a sense of focus and resilience, even when the loudest voices might lead leaders to stray from their purpose. Well, I think everyone knows that everybody has opinions. A new leader needs to remain concentrated on what’s really important.
On the field, during his six seasons as an Eagle, Jenkins was a model of consistency. He reliably played all 96 regular-season games from start to finish. In five of those seasons, he was an absolute monster on the field, playing 99% of the defensive snaps. Jenkins’ stats don’t tell the whole story. He snagged 11 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns, defended 58 passes, and made more than 500 tackles.
When looking back on expectations after winning a Super Bowl, Jenkins was cognizant of the mental walls that can betray a team’s success.
“A lot of times, you lie to yourself. The fans lie to themselves. Everyone in the sport tells you how good you are and why they expect you to do something. And then the season comes and you realize that this season has nothing to do with last year,” – Malcolm Jenkins
He repeated this truth as an underlying premise for any team that ever wants to build an eternal dynasty. Jenkins believes that acknowledging the starting point at zero helps teams avoid complacency and fosters an environment conducive to success.
Jenkins stepped into Philadelphia at a moment when the novelty of his presence was wearing off. He quickly proved himself as both a player and leader, realizing that fulfilling these dual roles required significant sacrifice.
“I wanted to be both and understood that required sacrifice,” – Malcolm Jenkins
His leadership stretched beyond the gridiron and deeply impacted societal issues as he fought tirelessly with the Players Coalition. Jenkins highlighted how athletes have a specific power to bring communities together and drive forward other social movements.
“I think it was well worth it when we started to see the impact that we have… It requires us nothing but energy and time,” – Malcolm Jenkins
As he prepares for his induction into the Hall of Fame, Jenkins offers encouragement to Hurts and the current Eagles roster. He knows Philadelphia is the most difficult sports town to work for, but feels that Hurts is perfectly suited for what’s to come.
“Hey, keep doing your thing. This is a tough city but you’re ready for it,” – Malcolm Jenkins
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