Eagles Honor Championship Legacy: Malcolm Jenkins and Bucko Kilroy Join Hall of Fame

Key Takeaways

• Malcolm Jenkins becomes the first Super Bowl LII player inducted — The three-time Pro Bowl safety and team captain will be enshrined alongside Bucko Kilroy on November 28 during the Bears game
• Kilroy's historic recognition spans eight decades — The 1940s All-Decade Team member helped secure back-to-back NFL championships in 1948 and 1949, playing all 13 seasons with Philadelphia
• Leadership extends beyond statistics — Jenkins' 515 tackles, 11 interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns reflect only part of his impact as a community advocate and team leader
• November ceremony celebrates championship heritage — The enshrinement honors players from both the franchise's early dynasty years and its first Super Bowl victory

Bottom Line: The Philadelphia Eagles are recognizing excellence across generations, honoring two players whose contributions to championship teams demonstrate how individual excellence serves collective achievement.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that Malcolm Jenkins and Francis "Bucko" Kilroy will join the franchise's Hall of Fame Class of 2025, connecting championship legacies separated by nearly seven decades. Jenkins is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame Class of 2025, along with the late Bucko Kilroy. Jenkins and Kilroy will be inducted during the November 28 game against the Chicago Bears.

Jenkins' selection represents a milestone for the organization's modern era, as Malcolm Jenkins is the first player selected from the Super Bowl LII championship team to make the Eagles Hall of Fame. The safety's six-season tenure in Philadelphia from 2014 to 2019 exemplified professional excellence and community leadership. Jenkins started all 96 regular-season games in his six seasons in Philadelphia. In five of the six seasons, he was on the field for 99 percent of the defensive snaps. His durability and consistency provided the foundation for defensive schemes that helped deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.

Beyond statistical achievements, Jenkins distinguished himself as a leader who understood the responsibilities that come with professional success. Jenkins was chosen as the Eagles' nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2019 and received the esteemed Byron "Whizzer" White Award from the NFLPA for his community outreach efforts in 2017. His foundation provided resources and opportunities for underserved youth, demonstrating how athletic platforms can create lasting community impact.

Kilroy's induction honors a foundational figure from the franchise's championship dynasty of the 1940s. Kilroy was a member of the Eagles' 1948 and 1949 NFL Championship Teams, while earning NFL All-Decade honors. The Philadelphia native who starred at Temple University represented the gritty, determined style that characterized successful teams across different eras. During the 1948 championship game, played in a blizzard at Shibe Park, Kilroy recovered a fumble on defense late in the third quarter and then helped block on the go-ahead touchdown.

After his 13-year playing career, Kilroy transitioned into scouting and executive roles that shaped the modern NFL. He is credited as one of the founders of the NFL Scouting Combine and helped shape the NFL Draft as fans know it today. Overall, Kilroy spent 64 seasons in the NFL as a player, coach, or executive. His contributions to talent evaluation and organizational development influenced championship teams across multiple franchises, including the New England Patriots' early 2000s dynasty.

For Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, the dual induction represents the franchise's commitment to honoring excellence across all eras. "Malcolm and Bucko are most deserving of our team's highest honor, having played integral roles on the 1948, 1949, and 2017 championship-winning teams," Lurie said in a statement. The November ceremony will celebrate how individual excellence, team-first mentality, and community engagement create lasting legacies that transcend statistics and championship rings.