The Eagles have a bye this weekend. But there was still football at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night as a pair of former Eagles squared off.
Former Eagles stars DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick, now the head coaches of Delaware State and Norfolk State, respectively, faced off from opposite sidelines at the Linc.
In a celebrated battle between HBCU programs, Jackson’s Hornets prevailed, 27-20.
Jackson and Vick are in their inaugural seasons. Jackson is leading a turnaround at Delaware State, which is 6-3 with a 2-0 record in the MEAC. Vick’s Norfolk State is 1-8.
The game marked a return to the Linc for Jackson and Vick, who were teammates in Philadelphia from 2009-13. Jackson’s 6,512 receiving yards rank third in franchise history. Vick threw for 8,683 yards and 51 touchdowns as the Eagles’ starter from 2010-12.
Several former NFL stars attended the game, including 2015 MVP Cam Newton and five-time Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch. Brandon Graham, the unretired franchise legend, also showed up to support his former teammates.
Deion Sanders, who coached at HBCU Jackson State before taking the Colorado job, lauded Jackson and Vick and commented on the teammates’ postgame embrace.
“This brought tears to my eyes,” Sanders wrote on social media. “I love these brothers to LIFE & they know it. Thank you men for answering the call.”
Jackson’s Delaware State will continue its season next Saturday vs. Morgan State while Vick’s Norfolk State will face NC Central next weekend.
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