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(PHILADELPHIA) — Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Will Shipley shined on Championship Sunday, forcing an impressive fumble for the birds on a kickoff, followed by his first career touchdown in the final scoring drive of the team’s decisive victory over the Washington Commanders to secure the team’s spot in Super Bowl LIX.
The 22-year-old from North Carolina joined “Good Morning America” live on Monday after the Eagles’ victory and said “it’s crazy” knowing he’s Super Bowl bound.
“So many emotions come with it. It’s been a dream of mine since I knew what football was,” he said. “So to actually be here and to be going down to New Orleans here in a couple weeks and have an opportunity to do so is just unbelievable.”
The Clemson star was the Eagles’ 127th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft and has since recorded 82 rushing yards, 30 rushing attempts, 4 receptions on 35 yards with one force fumble and a touchdown in 16 games.
“It was an awesome opportunity. We take a lot of pride in special teams — I was just trying to get a hat on him, get a shoulder pad on him, and just try to get him down or slow him down any way,” Shipley said of the moment before he forced Commanders kick returner Jeremy McNichols to fumble the ball on the return that set up the Eagles on the 25-yard line with 1 minute and 36 seconds to go in the first half.
“It ended up working out where the shoulder pad went right on the football and it came loose. I felt it hit my leg so I was looking down trying to grab it and get it, but it got kicked backwards to Kenny Gainwell,” Shipley said, referring to his teammate, who he said “was able to pick it up and we were able to score again before halftime and then get the ball after half.”
Shipley added, “I think it kind of gave us that momentum back and gave us the ability to carry it into the second half.”
With a commanding lead in the fourth quarter, Shipley had the final scoring play of the night under the lights at Lincoln Financial Field, finalizing the NFC Championship win and notching his first-ever NFL touchdown.
“It’s just a dream come true, you know? And to do it in the NFC championship with my teammates and guys that I love… Saquon [Barkley], that’s someone I look up to and someone that has taken me under his wing since I got drafted to this organization. I just couldn’t be more thankful, couldn’t be more blessed, and just to be able to share that with my teammates, my coaches, my friends and family who were able to come watch the game, is a special moment, one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
(NEW YORK) — Three Stanley Cup championship rings have been stolen from the home of Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin during yet another burglary in a series of thefts from high-profile professional athletes, authorities said.
The missing rings were reported at 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department on Wednesday.
“At 8:30 pm on January 11, Sewickley Heights Police requested the assistance of the Allegheny County Police Department’s General Investigations Unit for a residential burglary on Blackburn Road,” authorities said. “It was later determined the home belonged to Pittsburgh Penguins player Evgeni Malkin, who returned home from a game to find his home was burglarized.”
Detectives immediately began an investigation and discovered that Malkin’s three Stanley Cup championship rings were taken from the residence, police said.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” authorities said.
In December, the FBI issued a formal warning to sports leagues about organized theft groups targeting professional athletes following a rash of burglaries — beginning in September — at the homes of professional athletes while they were playing games or traveling.
“These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News.
The report stated that “organized theft groups allegedly burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes” between September and November 2024.
“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted,” the report further stated.
Burglars have recently targeted the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. In addition, the homes of NBA guard Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis have been burglarized. The FBI report does not specifically note or refer to any of these incidents.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” said the Allegheny County Police Department in reference to Malkin’s case.
The 38-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star is currently playing in his 18th NHL season and has scored 506 goals to date placing him 45th all-time in league history.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Allegheny County Police Department and police said the investigation remains active and open.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
