The Philadelphia Eagles Christmas album is a festive delight, blending spirited holiday classics with a unique touch of Eagles charm. The players showcase surprising musical talent, creating a joyful atmosphere that resonates with fans. From cheerful renditions of traditional songs to original compositions, the album is a spirited addition to any holiday playlist, making it a must-have for both Eagles enthusiasts and seasonal music lovers alike.
Many players make jokes about offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, who is featured on the album, just playing football to boost his music career when he retires. There are many great voices on this album, none of which have even started a music career such as Eagles center Jason Kelce, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and a very brief appearance from Eagles QB, Jalen Hurts.
The debut album features covers of classic Christmas songs and duets with Eagles announcer Merrill Reese and other players including Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick and Jordan Davis. All proceeds from the album will go to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia.
The title of the album is inspired by the Philly Special, a trick play by the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. Johnson, Kelce and Mailata returned to record their second studio album, A Philly Special Christmas Special, which was released on December 1, 2023.
Kelce stated that the organization of offensive linemen first taken into consideration writing the album in 2021. Both Mailata and Kelce have had a history in singing. In 2015, Kelce done a cowl of Cover Me Up with the aid of using Jason Isbell and his authentic music Homes Change on WXPN. In 2022, Mailata appeared on the tv series The Masked Singer. Mailata has been defined as “evoking Frankie Valli in his singing.”
Jason Kelce and Connor Barwin reached out to Charlie Hall, the drummer for The War on Drugs and the chief of the indie rock male chorus The Silver Ages, for course at the advent of the album. Hall said that he first met with the offensive linemen and “wanted to suss out what they were after. Was this a goof, or was it a sincere thing? I saw right away that it’s truly sincere. They just wanted to make something that’s a love letter to Philly.”
This album is something very new and unusual as most football players don’t sing and if they do they don’t make it public. The song “Fairytale of Philadelphia” not only features Eagles favorite Jason Kelce but also his younger brother, Chiefs Tight End, Travis Kelce.
I give this album a 9 out of 10, it is something that has changed the way I listen to Christmas music as I can only listen to The Philly Specials/Eagles offensive linemen from now on.
