Eagles Rookie Says The Real Role Models Aren’t on the Field

Philadelphia, PA – In the midst of preseason hype, one new face in the Eagles locker room is reminding fans that not all heroes wear pads, and not all role models play under stadium lights.

He grew up in a working-class home, raised by his mother and stepfather after his parents separated. Long hours, small paychecks, and relentless sacrifice were the foundation of his childhood.

That player is cornerback Mac McWilliams, Philadelphia’s rookie from UCF, whose journey to the NFL is grounded in the values he witnessed from a mother who worked from dawn to night to support her children.

“Football players can go a whole year without a paycheck and still live comfortably. But my mom had to work from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. just to make ends meet. That’s the kind of commitment our kids should look up to,” McWilliams said.

His words struck a chord with Eagles Nation. Fans praised the humility and grounded perspective, calling him “wise beyond his years” and a “player who understands life beyond the game.”

McWilliams arrives in Philadelphia after a standout 2024 season at UCF, where he built a reputation as a physical corner with strong coverage skills and toughness in big moments. Coaches love his ability to fight through adversity, noting his consistency and relentless effort. They believe his mindset could make him a natural fit for the Eagles’ identity.

For McWilliams, though, every pass breakup or rep in camp is secondary to the lessons learned at home. The real victories, he says, belong to the parents who grind every day so their families can dream bigger.