The Eagles as a team will not be bringing any trophies home any time soon. But the organization is recognized globally for something positive. No, it is absolutely not for football. But doesn’t it make you feel good to support a team that believes in doing something good off the field?

Not at all? Oh, come on!

The Eagles were named Global Sport Team of the Year at the Beyond Sport conference in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday. Beyond Sport “is a global organisation that promotes, develops and supports the use of sport to create positive social change across the world.”

The Eagles organization was nominated for their excellent work via the Eagles Youth Partnership, which reaches 50,000 children a year;  the Go Green Campaign; and its  Tackling Breast Cancer initiative, which has raised  $1.6 million towards cancer research.

Co-owner Christina Weiss Lurie stated,

“Being a sports fan is a shared experience, and teams have the opportunity to bring people together. When we use that sense of community to bring awareness to important causes, and to help our neighbors in need, the Eagles and our fans are doing something very special together.”

EYP Executive Director Sarah Martinez-Helfman was in South Africa to accept the award.

As Eagles fans, our ultimate hope is that our team one day brings home a Lombardi trophy. The 2011 season has been stunningly bad, and our hopes for a Super Bowl ring seem more distant than ever. But the Eagles do deserve to be commended for taking the passion that is a part of the team’s brand to make a lasting impact in the community. That will last longer than the sting of this or any other season.

The other good news about this award is this: Most at the Beyond Sport conference probably never heard the term “Dream Team” applied to this Eagles team, and as most of the world loves football of another kind, they probably are not aware of Philadelphia’s dismal record.

Let’s keep it positive, people.

Congratulations to the Eagles on this achievement and keep up the good work in the community.

Christina Weiss Lurie quote provided by the Philadelphia Eagles.

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