Philadelphia, PA – June 11, 2025
It wasn’t a touchdown. It wasn’t a trade. It wasn’t a Super Bowl parade down Broad Street. But what happened this week may go down as one of the most powerful moments in Philadelphia Eagles history — and it came not from the field, but from the heart.
Jeffrey Lurie, the longtime owner of the Eagles and the visionary behind their rise to NFL glory, has just donated fifty million dollars to establish the Lurie Autism Institute, a groundbreaking partnership between Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine. The donation is being hailed as the largest personal contribution to autism research in U.S. medical history.
“This is about unleashing hope,” Lurie said in a statement. “We’re entering a new era of understanding autism, and this institute will lead the way — right here in Philadelphia.”
The mission of the Lurie Autism Institute is as ambitious as it is urgent. The center will serve as a global hub for research, treatment, and innovation — uniting neuroscientists, geneticists, behavioral therapists, and artificial intelligence researchers under one roof. Their goal? To decode the complexity of autism and radically improve the lives of millions affected worldwide.
Lurie’s connection to the cause is deeply personal. His family’s commitment to autism awareness spans decades — from the Lurie Center for Autism in Massachusetts to the Eagles Autism Foundation, which has already raised over $40 million, including a record-breaking $10 million in 2025 alone.
And yet, this new gift marks a bold new chapter. It’s not just about charity. It’s about changing the trajectory of science, of families, of futures.
“Philly’s identity is grit and giving back,” said CHOP President Madeline Bell. “Jeffrey Lurie embodies both. This isn’t just a gift. It’s a legacy.”
Fans across social media are rallying behind the gesture:
“Forget just being an NFL owner. This man is a community champion,” tweeted @BirdsForever.
“Fifty million to fight autism? This is why I bleed green,” posted @EaglesFanMom.
Lurie’s donation arrives at a time when the Eagles continue to invest in their cultural values — emphasizing inclusivity, education, and service beyond the game. Events like the Eagles Autism Challenge, led by former stars like Jason Kelce, have turned the franchise into a national leader in athlete-driven philanthropy.
With this new institute, that leadership now has a permanent home — and a mission that stretches far beyond the stadium walls.
Because for Lurie, winning doesn’t stop at the scoreboard. And in giving this gift, he’s given something far greater than football: a future filled with possibility.
