The Eagles had last weekend off and most of the players used the time to relax and recuperate after a disappointing 2-2 start to the season. But defensive tackle Thomas Booker spent that time launching a Democratic campaign in West Philly.
“It’s been great so far,” the Eagles forward told Billy Penn when asked how Saturday’s game went. “Honestly, just talking to people about why they’re so passionate about the campaign and the issues they’re passionate about has been really cool for me.”
Booker, 24, who is playing for the Eagles for the first time after signing with the practice squad last season, has not been shy about using his position in politics: He previously spoke at the White House on gun violence prevention.
He is currently one of 10 national co-chairs of the newly formed Athletes for Harris campaign for presidential candidate Kamala Harris. She shares this modern title with Philadelphia native and Hall of Fame basketball player and coach Dawn Staley, as well as sports icons such as Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King.
“It’s been a little crowded so far since the season has started,” Booker said.
Athletes for Harris hopes to capitalize on key voting blocs – particularly youthful men – in the final sprint before November 5. The campaign says it intends to prepare a deluge of publicity and publicity with the upcoming games, and hopefully to persuade other athletes to publicly support Harris.
“I think overall, some of us may be a little disillusioned with the importance of voting and engaging in the political process,” Booker said. “But at critical moments like this, in an election that could truly change the history of the country, you have to engage in a way that includes getting to the ballot.”
After hearing brief remarks from Booker and other guests last weekend, door knockers focused largely on the Cobbs Creek neighborhood in West Philadelphia.
Booker said he wasn’t worried about the potential rejection of Harris’ endorsement while playing for a team beloved by both Democrats and Republicans across the region.
“Anything that I feel comfortable standing on in public, I don’t have a problem with public reaction or anything,” said Booker, who is from Ellicott City, Maryland, and played college football at Stanford University. “I think everyone can respect each other and have a civil discussion about what they don’t like, what their position is and where they don’t.”
Sports and politics are certainly no strangers to each other, but this fall and the November election have recently brought them closer together.
In early September, posters with an illustration of Harris wearing an Eagles helmet were plastered on digital billboards at SEPTA bus stops across the city, claiming that Harris was the “official prospect of the Philadelphia Eagles.” The Eagles and their advertising agency quickly dismissed the posters as “false political ads” and ordered their removal.
Philadelphia street artist Winston Tseng, who designed the artwork on the posters, said he had no idea how they ended up plastered across the city. In a statement released after the incident, Tseng called the play titled Political confirmationa satirical work.
So, as one presidential candidate likes to say, let’s be clear: the Eagles organization has no position in the presidential race.
