Eagles to induct Vincent into Hall of Fame

(The Phanatic Magazine) - The Eagles will induct five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent and long-time employee Leo Carlin into the Eagles Hall of Fame on Monday, November 26, during halftime of their nationally televised game against Carolina.

Vincent spent eight seasons playing in Philadelphia from 1996-2003. He finished seventh all-time in team annals with 28 interceptions for 341 yards along with 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one INT return touchdown in 118 starts.

“Troy Vincent was one of the best defensive players to ever put on an Eagles uniform," Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. "He was both a great playmaker and a true shutdown corner, but what raised his greatness to another level was the way he approached the game. He was a spokesman for the defense and his leadership set the tone for both the younger players on the team and the veterans.

"He has taken that same passion and intensity into the next phase of his life as Vice President of Player Engagement for the NFL, where he continues to help former and current players succeed off the field. Troy is a great person and was one of the most community-minded players during his career here. For all of these reasons and more, we feel that Troy is very deserving of this honor. We are very excited to enshrine him among the franchise’s best on November 26.”

In 2002, Vincent earned first team All-Pro recognition by the Associated Press after being named to AP ’s All-Pro second team the previous season. Vincent’s five Pro Bowl selections (1999-2003) are tied with fellow Eagles Hall of Famer Eric Allen for the most in franchise history for a cornerback. The Trenton, NJ, native registered a league-leading and career-high seven interceptions in 14 starts during his first season as an Eagle in 1996, adding one sack and two forced fumbles.  


In 2002, Vincent received the prestigious Walter Payton Man of Year award, which recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. He was honored because of his work with the Troy Vincent Foundation, which provides educational and counseling services to troubled youth, as well as his contributions to the Eagles Youth Partnership, Philadelphia Business Leadership Series, American Cancer Society, Leukemia Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation, Christian Business Network, Professional Business Financial Network, Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment (CAUSE), Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, and the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Trenton.

Vincent continues to serve the NFL and the community as the league’s Vice President of Player Engagement, named to the post in February of 2010, encouraging current NFL players to use football as a catalyst to move into the next stages of their career after they are done playing.

Carlin is a pioneer in the sports ticketing industry and nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. He has been with the club for over five decades and currently serves as the team’s Director of Ticket Client Service.

“Leo Carlin has had an incredible, 53-year career with the Eagles. As a longtime leader of the Eagles ticket office, he has been the face of our business to literally generations of fans," Lurie said. "He has also been a pioneering business executive who has earned the trust and respect of his fellow employees for five decades. It is a joy to see him in our offices every day, where his passion, stories and friendships provide us with a living link to Eagles history. We’re very happy to be able to acknowledge his many accomplishments over the past half century.”

Carlin originally joined the Eagles as a part-time ticket office employee in 1960 before joining the front office full-time in 1964. During the 1970’s, Carlin also served as the club’s business manager and helped the Eagles become the first NFL team to merge ticketing with computer data processing. He was appointed to represent the Eagles on the city of Philadelphia’s committee for the construction of Veterans Stadium, and led the effort in transitioning ticket operations for the Eagles four times into three different stadiums – Franklin Field, Veterans Stadium (a delay in construction caused Carlin to transition from the Vet back temporarily to Franklin Field in 1970), and Lincoln Financial Field. Carlin was also instrumental in negotiating the team’s local television rights for home games in 1985, and he would work with those stations to lift potential blackouts.

Vincent and Carlin will join 35 other members of the Eagles Hall of Fame: CB Eric Allen, C/LB Chuck Bednarik, owner Bert Bell, LB Bill Bergey, S Bill Bradley, DB Tom Brookshier, T Bob Brown, DT Jerome Brown, RB Timmy Brown, WR Harold Carmichael, QB Randall Cunningham, head trainer Otho Davis, executive Jim Gallagher, E Bill Hewitt, QB Ron Jaworski, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, QB Sonny Jurgensen, HB Ollie Matson, WR Tommy McDonald, RB Wilbert Montgomery, head coach Earl “Greasy” Neale, E Pete Pihos, WR Mike Quick, E Pete Retzlaff, C Jim Ringo, T Jerry Sisemore, QB Norm Van Brocklin, HB Steve Van Buren, head coach Dick Vermeil, T Stan Walters, DE Reggie White, T Al Wistert, C Alex Wojciechowicz, and the 1948 and 1949 NFL Championship Teams.