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Eagles Community Heartbroken as Zack Baun Reveals His Wife Is Facing a Serious Health Battle

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – December 6, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles were struck with heavy news on Saturday as linebacker Zack Baun and his wife released a deeply emotional announcement that sent shockwaves through the organization and the NFL community. Though the family has chosen to keep medical details private, multiple team sources confirmed that Baun’s wife has begun a serious long-term health battle requiring extensive treatment. The Eagles responded immediately with compassion, unity, and visible heartbreak.

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Baun – known for keeping his personal life out of the spotlight – broke his silence with a rare, heartfelt Instagram message that stopped fans and players in their tracks.
“She is my strength, my heart, and right now she needs every prayer and every bit of positive energy the world can give,” he wrote. “Thank you for respecting our privacy. We will fight this together. #BaunStrong.”
The message spread rapidly across social media, igniting an outpouring of emotion from Eagles Nation.

Later in the afternoon, the NovaCare Complex became the site of an impromptu gathering. Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Brandon Graham formed a quiet prayer circle outside the locker room, several players visibly emotional as they embraced Baun. The moment highlighted just how deeply admired and loved the Baun family is within the building.

Speaking shortly after practice, Jalen Hurts struggled to keep his composure.
“Zack is the heartbeat of this locker room,” Hurts said softly. “Whatever he and his family are facing, we’re going to stand with him every step of the way. Here, family always comes first.”
A.J. Brown added, “Zack has given everything to this team. Now it’s our turn to carry him.”

Eagles Nation rallied instantly. The hashtag #PrayForBaunFamily surged to the No. 1 trending topic in the country. A community fundraiser titled “Baun Family Strong” surpassed $600,000 in a matter of hours. Fans gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field, lighting candles and leaving handwritten notes filled with strength, love, and support. Messages of encouragement poured in from players and coaches across the league.

Head coach Nick Sirianni addressed reporters in the evening, his voice trembling.
“This is bigger than football,” Sirianni said. “Zack and his family are part of our family. We ask everyone to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.”
The Eagles later issued an official statement reinforcing their full support and asking for privacy for the Baun family.

In a private message shared with teammates — later confirmed by team sources — Baun reflected on the battle ahead with raw honesty and courage:
“This personal fight is harder than any game I’ve ever played. My wife is the strongest person I know, and now I will be her shield. Football can wait, because love and family are where we truly win. We simply ask for positive energy and prayers. We will face this challenge with faith and overcome it together.”

As the Eagles prepare for their next matchup, one truth resonates across the organization and the city of Philadelphia: football can wait — standing with Zack Baun and his wife cannot.

The new West Coast-style offense under head coach Mike McCarthy means the beloved young star with two CFP national championships must depart from the Steelers.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 2026 The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a pivotal new chapter, and with it may come a farewell that leaves Steelers Nation deeply conflicted. The era of head coach Mike McCarthy has not truly begun, yet the first ripple effects of his football philosophy are already being felt throughout the roster. McCarthy brings a West Coast offense to Pittsburgh — a system built on tempo, spacing, and quick ball distribution. It is a formula that delivered significant success in Green Bay and Dallas. But that shift also means the Steelers are expected to lean heavily on three-wide-receiver sets, reducing the role of the two-tight-end formations that fans have grown accustomed to over the years. That evolution immediately places a spotlight on the future of Darnell Washington — the young star, two-time College Football Playoff national champion, and one of the most beloved players among the Pittsburgh fan base. Washington embodies a physical, old-school style of football, the very DNA that has defined the Steelers for generations. Yet McCarthy’s coaching history paints a difficult reality. Throughout his time with the Packers and Cowboys, tight ends were largely complementary pieces rather than focal points of the offense. There has never been a season under McCarthy in which two tight ends ranked among the team’s leaders in targets or receiving yards. That trend has quietly but firmly placed Washington’s long-term fit in question. At just 24 years old, Washington is still viewed as a talent whose ceiling has yet to be fully reached. His blocking ability, rare physical traits, and competitive mindset would draw interest from teams across the NFL should the Steelers open the door to a departure. But this situation extends beyond schemes and depth charts — it is emotional. As speculation surrounding his future continues to intensify, Washington has addressed it with a message that resonated deeply with fans. “My heart has always belonged to the Steelers. I’m willing to do anything — learn, adapt, sacrifice my role — just to stay here and keep giving everything I have to this team. If the day ever comes when I’m no longer able to take the field as a Pittsburgh Steeler, then I’ll choose to retire as a Steeler. I’ll always support this organization, stand with it, and wait for the day we meet again.” It is a declaration of loyalty in an era where the NFL grows increasingly unforgiving toward sentiment. But the Steelers are also confronting a harsh truth: repeated playoff failures have forced the franchise to evolve, even if the cost is parting with a player who represents its traditional identity. If Darnell Washington’s journey in Pittsburgh is truly nearing its end, it won’t be because he wasn’t good enough — it will be because the Steelers chose a new path forward. A path toward modernization, where progress outweighs nostalgia, even when that decision leaves an entire city quietly grieving what might have been.