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Homecoming heroes: Thousands show out to DeVonta Smith's celebrity softball game
On Saturday, thousands of Eagles fans descended upon Coca-Cola Park to watch the 3rd annual DeVonta Smith & Friends Celebrity Softball Game, where proceeds benefitted St. Luke's and IronPigs charities
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A wave of Kelly green washed over Coca-Cola Park on Saturday as fans from all over the tri-state area descended upon Allentown for the chance to catch a glimpse of their favorite NFL player.
DeVonta Smith is greeted at home by Jalen Hurts after hitting a home run. The annual Devonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCSaquon Barkley shows his new teams' hat. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCTerrell Owens signs autographs. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCTerrell Owens greets fans. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCBrandon Graham signs autographs. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCTerrell Owens makes a catch. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCThe annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCThe annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCSaquon Barkley speaks to reporters. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCDeVonta Smith during interviews. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCThe annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCSaquon Barkley asks DeVonta Smith about a call. The annual Devonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCSaquon Barkley greets fans. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCJalen Hurts, left, greets Terrell Owens. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCA.J. Brown greets a young fan. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCJalen Hurts pitches. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCJalen Hurts at bat. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCSaquon Barkley greets fans. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCDarius Slay reaches first base. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCA.J. Brown rounds second base. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCDarius Slay watches his hit. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCThe annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCThe annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCTerrell Owens at bat. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLCJalen Hurts comes to the plate. The annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game featuring Philadelphia Eagles and other athletes was held at Coca~Cola Park in Allentown on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Photography by Donna S. Fisher Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
Fans were lining up outside of the park as early as 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, some with Sharpies and other autograph-able merch in hand.
"I want to meet DeVonta Smith," said 14-year-old Connor Messinger of Palmerton, showing off his foam football and a black marker.
"I want to meet Saquon Barkley!" his little brother, 9-year-old Kai, chimed in. An inner ear infection had sidelined the little boy from meeting Barkley a few weeks prior, so the new Eagles running back owed him one.
Good times were held by all
At 12:00 p.m., festivities kicked off for the 3rd annual DeVonta Smith & Friends Celebrity Softball Game, a charity softball game that pins NFC and AFC greats against one another for the one thing more powerful than a Super Bowl ring: bragging rights.
All proceeds from the day benefitted both St. Luke's and IronPigs charities, which provide educational and youth programming in the Lehigh Valley.
"It feels good to be back and to give back."
Kenny Yeoboah, New York Jets tight end
This event is particularly special for Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who hails from a small town in rural Louisiana. He says that values of generosity and giving have been instilled into him from a young age; he plans to pass them on to 9-month-old Kyse, his daughter and the "littlest Eagles fan."
So when his team approached him three years ago about doing a charity softball game, he thought it would be perfect.
"Being from a small town, we didn't have a lot of resources. So anytime someone gave back to us, it meant a lot," said Smith. "Now, being able to return the favor and give back to my community — it means everything."
The day was exactly what you'd expect when you gather a bunch of pro athletes together and let them loose on a field: bat-crushing home runs, (including two from DeVonta Smith) diving catches and plenty of trash talking from Eagles cornerback Darius Slay.
Walking down memory lane
But for one 27-year-old from Coplay, this was more than a softball game: it was a homecoming.
Standing on the third base line holding a bat and chewing bubble gum, Saquon Barkley takes it all in. After six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley is headed back to the Philadelphia area to play for his hometown team, the Eagles: he signed a $37.75 million dollar contract with them in March.
Behind him, eager fans chant his name and ask for autographs. His raw talent and the frenzy surrounding his blockbuster trade have sent him into the stratosphere, but he very much remains a hometown guy: after all, his favorite local spot growing up was the Cedar Crest Boulevard Applebee's.
"Every Friday night, we would be there," he says with a chuckle.
New York Jets tight end (and Parkland alumnus) Kenny Yeoboah agrees: after an infamous Whitehall Zephyrs - Parkland Trojans matchup, Yeoboah, Barkley and other teammates recall fond memories of snacking on Applebee's appetizers or grabbing a slice of pizza at Biaggio's.
They're NFL superstars now, but the sentiment remains the same.
"Every day, I know I'm making my community proud," says Yeoboah. "It feels good to be back and to give back."
Old and the new
Ultimately, Team Smith prevailed with a 16-6 win over Team Owens, led by none-other-than Eagles legend Terrell Owens. (TO!) Following the game, players from both teams stuck around to sign autographs, take pictures or chat with fans.
Soon, they'll report to training camp and the race to Super Bowl 59 begins.