Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Eagles Fans to the Rescue and Some RT Talk

Posted August 11th, 2026 | No Comments »

So I had my surgery last week. They were able to remove the tumor and deal with a couple of small spots on my liver. The surgeons were happy with how things went, which means I’m happy. I got released yesterday and boy does it feel good to be home.

I packed some clothes in a small Eagles duffle bag I use for traveling. My surgeon noticed it last Thursday and asked if I was an Eagles fan. I said yes and he let me know he was from that area and was a fan as well. Very cool. My physical therapist came in later that day and noticed the same thing. He mentioned he grew up in Philly and was an Eagles fan. We spent an hour together and shared some good stories. The next day another therapist visited me. She saw the bag and told me she had gone to school with Reggie White’s kids. Beyond cool.

I live in North Carolina. What are the chances that 3 of the key 4 people treating me would be Eagles fans? They took great care of me and have me on the road to recovery.

Eagles Nation has given me moral support, financial support and now medical support. What an amazing group of people. Thank you all  very much for taking care of me. Truly appreciated.

*****

Lane Johnson made his “retirement” announcement while I was in the hospital. He will step away after the year because his mother has cancer and his dad also has health issues. This resonates with me because I had to deal with my own mother having cancer (lung) and now I’m dealing with my own situation.

I have a lot of respect for Lane as a football player, but even more for him as a son. You have to put your family first. I was able to write Eagles stories while my mom got treatments. Lane can’t do his job in a hospital room. So he made the right decision and will focus on his family. Good for him.

Who will be the RT in 2027? Markel Bell will be the frontrunner. The Eagles did not draft him to replace Fred Johnson. They didn’t take Bell as part of a panic move. This is a player the Eagles really like and think can become a good starting OT.

The Eagles have had some spectacular OL failures over the years. The majority of those guys failed because they weren’t professional enough. They were big and talented, but not focused. Bell has the physical tools  to play in the league. Just as importantly, he has the drive, mindset and maturity to succeed in the league.

There is no guarantee that Bell will pan out,but the Eagles feel strongly about him. They brought Bell to Philly for a visit. They met with him in Miami as well. They see a huge player with huge potential.

Bell won’t be given the job. He will be given the opportunity to win the job.

I sure won’t bet against him.

_