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SPORTS Thursday 14 June 2018

Wentz eager to return, but Foles allows Eagles to wait

By ROB MAADDI "It's human nature to want
AP Pro Football Writer to be on that podium and
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — be the guy," Wentz said.
Carson Wentz was having "You grow up wanting to
an MVP-caliber season be there, but not being
before a torn ACL forced able to be up there, there's
him to the sideline, where nobody I'd rather have up
he watched Nick Foles lead there than Nick."
the Philadelphia Eagles to Eagles coach Doug
their first Super Bowl victory. Pederson has made it clear
Wentz has a mission to there's no quarterback
return for Week 1 and is controversy in Philadelphia
already ahead of schedule since the minute Foles
after being cleared for finished a sensational
7-on-7 work last week. Still, performance in the 41-33
he has a way to go before win over the Patriots. When
he is cleared for full activity. he's healthy, Wentz is the
"It's just a process," Wentz guy. He's the face of the
told The Associated Press. franchise.
"There's the mental side "I still believe this is Carson's
of it, feeling comfortable team," Pederson said
with it, but also the physical Tuesday. "There are no
limitations that the doctors egos involved. They're in
put on you and you have to this thing together. Both
trust what they're saying. If I support each other. Nick In this Thursday, June 7, 2018, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles quaterbacks Carson Wentz (11), Nick
Foles (9), and Nate Sudfeld (7) walk to the next drill during practice at the NFL football team's
could tell you I'd be ready supported Carson during training facility in Philadelphia.
Week 1, I would. I just don't the season last year, and Associated Press
know. It's a fluid process. then Carson turned around
That's obviously the goal and supported Nick at the other interests during the on and see the impact it's and The Connect Church
but so far things have been end of the year. offseason. He went to making." aims to provide food not
great." "Their relationship has Haiti for the second time in Wentz then held the only to people in need but
Wentz's comeback carried over into this spring less than a year in April — inaugural AO1 Foundation others in the community
comes with interesting and summer, and it's really teammates Zach Ertz, Nate charity softball game at the also.
circumstances: He has good. I see them working in Sudfeld and Rashard Davis home of the Philadelphia "The goal is to provide
no pressure to return right the classroom. I see them joined him — and launched Phillies on June 1, drawing something different, to
away because the Eagles working on the field. They plans for his Audience of more than 25,000 fans who provide the atmosphere to
can lean on the Super Bowl keep talking. They want One Foundation to build came out to see the Super just love on people," Wentz
MVP to start the season. to get better individually. a sports complex in that Bowl champs compete in said. "I think things that are
And that's not necessarily They want to get our team country. a home run derby — left free these days are kind
a threat to Wentz, whose better. And so it's been a "Being able to partner up guard Stefen Wisniewski of confusing. There's no
friendship with Foles doesn't really good, really good with Mission of Hope in Haiti was the winner with a strings attached with this.
have the strain seen in dynamic between those and to see how everything fantastic power display — I think people will just see
other famed NFL tandems two." is so Christ-centered, they and a game that featured and experience something
like Brett Favre and Aaron Foles has maintained had a sports complex in Foles and 23 other Eagles. different with that."
Rodgers or Joe Montana since he replaced Wentz thought so we were on "The brotherhood we Make no mistake, despite
and Steve Young. last December that he board for that," Wentz said. have on this team, we're all his outside interests,
"We've become so close understands his role is "I know how sports changed so close," Wentz said. "We Wentz is determined to
ever since he first got here," the backup. He wants my life, how so many doors genuinely care about each help the Eagles become
Wentz said. "Developed to start again in the NFL, have opened up and how other. A lot of unselfish the ninth team to repeat as
a real friendship, a real but was happy to stay in my faith has grown through players. To see these guys Super Bowl champs.
relationship, more than just Philadelphia. guys who have mentored come out (to support me) "The biggest thing is the
a working relationship, a "I've shown what I can do," me in sports. Just to know is so humbling." culture of excellence that
true friendship." Foles said. "I love the team that can be given and Before the game, Wentz we've created," Wentz
Wentz admits it was difficult and I love the city. I'm provided to the people in also revealed a 25-foot said. "I don't see why the
to see someone else hoist excited for Carson to get Haiti, it'll really change their food truck named "Thy sky can't be the limit for us
the Vince Lombardi Trophy back." perspective on so many Kingdom Crumb" that will again. Our roster is rock-
on stage first. But the two While he was focused on things and restore some begin delivering free food solid and our camaraderie
quarterbacks are more like rehabbing and returning dignity and hope. It gets to people in the Delaware and our culture is still rock-
brothers than competitors to the field as quickly as me fired up and I'm excited Valley in August. The solid and growing. We
for the starting job. possible, Wentz pursued to go back and be hands- partnership between AO1 have high expectations."q