A surprising side of Eagles receiver Jalen Reagor’s personality
Jalen Reagor is 22 years old, has 39 career receptions and its fair to say that in public he doesnt have the most outgoing personality.
So it was curious to hear veteran safety Anthony Harris identify him as one of the Eagles natural leaders.
The topic came up with the loss of Brandon Graham, who is as vocal and inspirational a leader as this franchise has seen since Dawk.
Heres Harris, a defensive player in his first year with the Eagles, asked what players have stood out to him as guys who can help pick up the slack with Graham out for the season. And it definitely makes you take notice when he mentions a young, generally quiet offensive player.
Ive seen a number of guys pop out really just in spurts, not so much in big breakdown moments before pre-games but in the flow of practice, in the flow of the game, its just something that comes natural, he said.
So youll be seeing guys like Eric Wilson, Alex (Singleton), (Darius) Slay, Steve (Nelson) from a defensive standpoint, as well as someone like Jalen Reagor. Its really just about being in the moment, being present, doing your individual job and if you feel like saying something to get guys going, you do that.
Reagor is an interesting name. Hes a guy whos shown flashes but is still trying to find his way in the NFL. But hes impressed Harris with his work ethic, his desire to get better and the way hes vocal when he needs to be.
From my time and my experience, its really just coming out and working every day trying to get better, trying to go out and do positive things and be a large playmaker, Harris said. So whether it was joint practices when hes making plays, hes feeling fired up, his confidence is continuing to grow, and I think thats something hes just been trying to show.
Harris spoke of leaders who may not be publicly seen and might be a little more behind closed doors, and thats a perfect description for Reagor.
From the outside, he just doesnt come across that way.
I dont force it, Reagor said. I dont try to force my leadership on anybody or anything like that. Whenever the time comes, thats what I do. With Jalen (Hurts), hes our quarterback, hes the captain of the ship, I feel like its natural for him. He just has that trait. Thats what he does. I dont have to be the guy thats loud and be vocal and stuff like that. I just lead by example and if I have to say something I do. Its not a thing that Im this big leader. I just play my part.
Leadership is a hazy concept, and Reagor is correct that its not something you can force. You cant try to be a leader. You either are one or you arent. If its not natural, it doesnt work.
The main thing is always going to be performing on the field, and that remains an unknown with Reagor. He caught six passes and a touchdown in the opener, then was just 2-for-5 against the 49ers, losing a 36-yard touchdown when he stepped out of bounds racing down the sideline before he caught the ball.
Reagor has spoken this summer about how hes a different guy than last year, and if hes coming out of his shell to the point where a veteran safety regards him as a natural leader, thats a good sign.
Reagor will ultimately be judged on his production. But it’s a positive sign that he’s growing as a person and regarded so highly in the locker room.
It’s just part of just that leadership that we need on this team besides the leaders we have, the captains, Reagor said. Its just having another voice, and I feel like its never enough, so we can always have others. I dont say too much but I feel like when the time is right I do say certain things.
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