In an extraordinary and emotional moment that stunned both the sports and environmental worlds, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni made headlines during the memorial service for legendary primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. Standing before a global audience, Sirianni delivered a powerful statement that immediately captured worldwide attention:
“We don’t just remember — we act.”
According to official reports, Sirianni announced that the Eagles will change the color of their practice uniforms during the first training session after the ceremony to “Gombe Green” — the symbolic hue of the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, where Dr. Goodall conducted her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees.
Even more remarkably, Sirianni revealed that the Eagles organization will fund lifetime scholarships for young environmentalists and wildlife conservationists through the Jane Goodall Institute, marking an unprecedented move in NFL history.
The initiative was immediately praised by environmental organizations, global media outlets, and fans around the world as a bold gesture of global responsibility — transcending sports and sending a message about leadership, compassion, and the planet’s future.
However, the move also sparked tension within the league. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was reportedly caught off guard by the announcement and later issued a statement suggesting that this “greening” initiative could trigger an unprecedented rules dilemma within the league’s official uniform and sponsorship regulations.
“While we respect acts of tribute, any change in official team attire or partnership alignment must comply with NFL policy,” Goodell said, hinting that the Eagles’ decision could lead to a historic rules review unlike anything the league has faced before.
As debate intensifies across the NFL community, one thing is certain — Nick Sirianni’s message has reached far beyond football, sparking a new conversation about what it truly means for sports teams to take global action in honor of those who changed the world.