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Andrew Mukuba Donates $4 Million Signing Bonus to Philadelphia Orphans — Eagles' Rookie Chooses Heart Over Luxury

August 14, 2025

After signing his rookie contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, safety Andrew Mukuba chose a path few NFL players dare to take. While many celebrate their first professional deal with gifts for family or personal luxuries, Mukuba’s first act was to give back — in a way deeply connected to his own life story.

Mukuba’s four-year, $15.8 million rookie contract, which included a multi-million-dollar signing bonus, was a life-changing moment. But instead of buying a new home or luxury car, the 22-year-old dedicated $4 million of his bonus to support a Philadelphia orphanage.

“I’ve lived that life — no heat, no clean water, love stretched thin and money even thinner. I know what it’s like to fight through a childhood that tries to break you. That’s why I’m here making sure these kids in Philly feel it every day — that they matter, that they’re worth it, and that somebody’s got their back.,” Mukuba said.

His compassion stems from lived experience. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, to a Congolese refugee family, he spent his early years in a small home with limited electricity, sleeping on the floor with siblings and without access to clean water. At around 8 or 9 years old, his parents separated, and from then on, he lived with his mother — a tireless worker juggling multiple jobs to keep the family afloat.

Selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Mukuba quickly turned heads in training camp. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio praised his versatility, deploying him at multiple safety spots and even in hybrid cornerback roles. Coaches lauded his instincts, range, and decision-making, viewing him as a Week 1 contributor on defense and special teams.

Veteran teammates have taken notice as well. “The kid plays like he’s been here for years,” one starting player said after a joint practice. “And off the field, he’s got a heart that matches that motor.”

That rare mix of maturity, skill, and leadership beyond his years has made Mukuba a unique rookie — someone capable of impacting both the locker room and the community before even playing a regular-season snap.

The young safety partnered with a local real estate group and nonprofit organization to fund renovations and resources for the orphanage, ensuring the children have safe rooms, modern facilities, and updated educational tools.

Walking through the renovated halls for the first time, Mukuba described the moment as “more than football — this is life coming full circle.”

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”