Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long and safety Malcolm Jenkins have been among the league's most politically and socially active players throughout the season. With the Eagles gearing up for Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, both players say their off-field advocacy isn't getting in the way of football.
"Somebody asked me, 'Does this prove you can worry about your off-field engagements and effectively do your job on the field?' I think it's a great example of how players can manage time so well," Long said via ESPN's Tim McManus.
Jenkins, one of the founders of the Players Coalition, noted he can do both of his jobs well, with neither conflicting with the other.
"That's a question that I think would best be answered by my teammates," Jenkins said. "It's easy for me to say it's not a distraction, but obviously, it has not hindered anything that we've done on the field.
"There's nothing that says you can't be active and love the community and fight for your community and not do your job."
The Eagles have been one of the best stories of the season, both on and off the field due to Long, Jenkins, and wide receiver Torrey Smith's efforts. But right now, the trio are focused on winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
