Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is continuing to make an impact off the football field.
Hurts and the Jalen Hurts Foundation have committed $600,000 to help install a new cooling system at Northeast High School, one of Philadelphia’s largest high schools. The donation will specifically help air-condition the school’s auditorium, which can become extremely hot during warmer months. The project is expected to be completed for the 2027-28 school year.
Hurts announced the donation during a visit to Northeast High on September 15, where more than 1,000 students, teachers and guests gathered inside the school’s sweltering auditorium.
The Eagles quarterback said the project is personal because he remembers seeing reports about Philadelphia schools having to cancel or alter classes because of extreme heat and inadequate air conditioning.
“I’ve been in your guys’ shoes,” Hurts told students. “I know the importance of having the support and having the backing to do and achieve whatever dreams you have.”
The $600,000 commitment represents the largest donation from the Jalen Hurts Foundation to date. Hurts previously donated $200,000 toward air-conditioning systems at 10 Philadelphia schools, helping provide more than 300 AC units.
The effort is part of Hurts’ “Keep It Cool” initiative, which focuses on improving cooling conditions in Philadelphia schools. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, 52 schools in the district still lacked adequate air conditioning as of September 2026.
Hurts has also received recognition for his broader community work. The Philadelphia Citizen named him its 2024 Citizen of the Year, citing his work supporting Philadelphia students, youth programs and women in sports.
For Hurts, the goal extends beyond one building.
During his Northeast High appearance, he made his intentions clear:
“Let’s get it to zero.”
That means working toward a Philadelphia school district where students aren’t losing instructional time because their classrooms don’t have adequate cooling.
For an NFL quarterback accustomed to making plays on Sundays, Hurts is continuing to make an impact in Philadelphia long after the scoreboard stops.
