FOOTBALL | ACTIVISM | ENTREPRENEURSHIP
As a true student of the game, a dynamic playmaker from the safety position, and a tireless philanthropist in the community, Malcolm Jenkins is a pillar in the Philadelphia Eagles locker room and in the communities in which he has lived, worked and played, including his home state of New Jersey, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In 2016, in his 8th season, following his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Jenkins tied for the team lead in INT (3), ranked second in total tackles (108) and is third in passes defensed (12). His impact on the field garnered his fourth NFC Defensive Player of the Week award; and in his 100th career start, became the only player in Eagles history to register three consecutive seasons with an INT-TD.
In an effort to enhance the lives of youth in underserved communities, Jenkins launched The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in 2010, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity with a mission to effectuate positive change in the lives of youth by providing resources, innovative opportunities, and experiences that will help them succeed in life and become contributing members of their communities.
In 2016, Jenkins continued his steadfast commitment to make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of youth and communities, through the work of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, launching a new educational program in Philadelphia; celebrating the first college cohort of Malcolm Jenkins Scholars in Louisiana; assisting 1,200 families with food and essential resources in Ohio and mentoring 425 youth through the 6th annual Next Level Youth Football Camp in New Jersey among other events and programs throughout the year.
Also this year, in light of major tragedies, Jenkins sought out change both with local police and with government officials. Leading a group of NFL players, Jenkins set up a meeting with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, conducted ride alongs with Philadelphia police to engage with the community and included the Philly police department in his annual holiday outreach. In addition, he and four other NFL players also visited the White House to speak to Congressional members about race relations and criminal justice reform. During Super Bowl week, the group held a town hall in conjunction with R.I.S.E. to discuss the impact of their work to improve race relations.
For his efforts, he was awarded the 2017 NFLPA "Byron Whizzer White Award", the highest honor bestowed on an NFL players for his profound dedication to positively impacting his team, community and country in the spirit of the former Supreme Court Justice for which the award is named.
