DEVONTA SMITH, SAQUON BARKLEY, JALEN HURTS, JAHAN DOTSON AMONG NFL STARS IN ALLENTOWN FOR 3RD ANNUAL CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith, alongside multiple teammates and friends, put on a show Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park in the third annual DeVonta Smith and Friends Celebrity Softball Game.

Echoing chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S” and renditions of “Fly Eagles Fly” could be heard across Coca-Cola Park, with the nearly full Allentown stadium decorated in Eagles merchandise. In addition to Smith, Eagles stars such as Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay and A.J. Brown were present — other well-known stars on the field included former wide receiver Terrell Owens; Washington Commanders WR Jahan Dotson, a former Nazareth High and Penn State star; and Quez Watkins.

“Every year, it seems like the crowd gets bigger and bigger,” Smith said. “That means we’re doing something right.”

For Graham, an Eagles legend who’s about to start his 15th season with the team, the laid-back event allows him to make a fan’s day.

“They spend a lot of time just trying to get your attention or get an autograph,” Graham said of the fans. “I’m all about them.”

Baseball has always been a sport that Graham treasured. He made multiple impressive catches while playing in the outfield.

“It was one of the things I started off with,” he said. “Then football took over.”

Saturday’s event began with a home-run derby, with Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers winning the competition after smacking 12 home runs. The competition was followed by the exhibition softball game — Smith’s Team Smith faced off against Team Owens, which was led by Owens, who had nine receptions for 122 yards for the Eagles in their 2004 Super Bowl loss.

Team Smith won 16-6, after 8.5 innings.

Smith was up for a spot as MVP of the game, going 4 for 4 at the plate and hitting two home runs. Team Smith’s biggest push came in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the team scored six runs.

But another Smith, DeVonta’s younger brother, Christian, earned MVP honors. His shining moment was a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Many fans were decked out in the Eagles No. 26 jersey that will be worn by Barkley, the former Whitehall and Penn State star.  Eagles Nation reported that Barkley’s jersey has been the highest selling this offseason, even as Barkley hasn’t played a snap yet.

“It feels really good,” one fan said of Barkley joining the Eagles.

“The sky’s the limit [for the Eagles this season], but ultimately it comes down to guys making plays,” Smith said. “You’ve got to be in the right spot at the right time.”

But more importantly Saturday, it was about Smith and friends giving back to the Lehigh Valley, while trading football helmets for softball mitts.

“It’s a big priority,” Smith said of giving back to the community.

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