Beneficent Bird

CHERRY HILL, N.J. – Nestled inside The Impact Center located in Cherry Hill, N.J. and vibing to the soundtrack of a wide-ranging playlist accented with a holiday flair were waves of Eagles fans lining up to pose for photos with Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, coalescing for an all-important cause.

Spearheaded by Dean and his “Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe Foundation,” that cause was the second annual Holiday Tailgate Toy Drive, where those attending were to bring a new and unwrapped toy to aid families in the community this holiday season.

According to Dean, there were “just as much, if not more” toys compiled compared to last year’s launch. His Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe Foundation is only one year old, but the idea of a foundation had been in the works for quite some time. The foundation’s motto is “Reaching for the hand, but touching the heart,” with a focus on instilling “belief in the youth and their generation.”

While the event last December was held at the Jordan Family Learning Center on Germantown Avenue, the setting for Sunday afternoon, which ran from 2-4 p.m., was at the Cherry Hill church, where his project manager Josh Mobley originally made the connection a year earlier as Dean searched for a spot to host a Turkey Drive.

The lobby was spacious, large enough to contain the line of eager Eagles fans, as well as a station for refreshments. It also, at times, served as a pseudo dance floor, where many in attendance relished the music coursing through the speakers. Even observing from afar, the scene was a very much of a community coming together for a greater purpose, rallying around Dean and his charitable cause.

Since arriving to the NFL in 2022, Dean has been extremely active in the community, committing to paying it forward and embedding hope and belief in today’s youth. Dean credits his mother, Neketta, who worked in community relations, for instilling the importance of giving back to the community and serving others.

“It’s definitely because my mother, she instilled giving back to me at a young age,” he said. “Definitely around this time of the year, she always did something called the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas.’ Twelve days leading up to Christmas, we did something around giving back to the community. It’s kind of always in my spirit to give back around this time, because I’ve been doing it for so long since I was growing up.

“It kind of took a little break in college, because it was a little tough, but when I got in the league, I knew I wanted to start back doing something giving back to the community.”

Eagles LB Nakobe Dean (middle) posed for pictures during his toy drive as part of his charitable foundation.

“Our 12 days of Christmas are dedicated to doing things for other people,” Neketta explained. “It decreases selfishness and makes you a selfless person. So, think about others … others before self. And that builds so much character in people when you think about others. Even with words; before you speak words, think about others.

“Acts of kindness and acts of love. Of course, we’re Kinds Hearts 4 Lyfe, and we always want to have a kind heart. So, volunteering, giving back in the community – it doesn’t take a lot to give back. I’m actually really happy to see them put it forward. So, to come out and see it come to fruition – I instilled it in him early – and he’s still going with it. He’s keeping up with it. He’s excited about it, and I love that in him.”

The heap of toys stationed behind where Dean was posing for photos and signing for fans as they made their way to the front of the line grew throughout the afternoon.

Dean had a chance to catch up in a rare break in the action, offering insight and perspective behind his special connection with community service. Surrounded by toys, Dean even pinpointed a memorable gift he’d received as a child.

“The first thing that comes to mind – I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but it’s the first thing that came to mind – was a drum set my mother got me,” he recalled. “I used to beat on it all day, and then one day, it was just gone. I guess she got tired of me making all that noise.”

“It was noisy,” Neketta quipped.

On the football field, Dean effectively serves as the quarterback for Vic Fangio’s defense, providing unrivaled football intellect and tone-setting tendencies. He also radiates positive energy and uplifts those around him, akin to his off-field endeavors.

A natural leader, Dean is, in many ways, wise beyond his years. Simply stated, the 25-year-old just gets it, his presence making a tangible impact in seemingly everything he does. As expected, when asked about the selflessness and initiative of her son, a humanitarian off the field, Neketta beamed with pride.

“To give back in the community the way he does – and to love it and to have a passion for it – I’m over the moon,” she said.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com