NFL
The Eagles Accidentally Saved Former Pro Bowler Jon Dorenbos’ Life By Trading Him to the Saints
Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.
Get to know Jack Dougherty betterPublished21 Jan 2021
When former Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Dorenbos was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New Orleans Saints, it slipped through the cracks as one of the most inconsequential deals of the 2017 NFL offseason. Dorenbos was never a superstar name, and the Eagles only received a seventh-round pick in return.
But that seemingly meaningless trade turned out to be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to Dorenbos. It even saved his life.
Jon Dorenbos was traded to the Saints after 11 years with the Eagles
Jon Dorenbos may not have been a well-known player in the NFL during his career. But every football fan in Philadelphia knew his name. Dorenbos served as the starting long snapper for the Eagles for more than 11 years, dating back to 2006.
Dorenbos made his first NFL Pro Bowl in 2009, three years after signing with Philadelphia. He earned his second Pro Bowl honor in 2014. Dorenbos started all 16 games for the Eagles in nine consecutive seasons from 2007-15.
It wasn’t just his dependability, though, that made Philadelphia fans fall in love with Dorenbos. The long snapper was a unique locker room presence. He kept teammates loose with card tricks and an overall fun-loving personality. Dorenbos was also a charitable figure in the community over his entire tenure in Philly.
In 2017, the Eagles traded the fan-favorite to the Saints for a seventh-round draft pick. The deal might’ve seemed like a blip on the radar, but it turned out to be much more.
The Eagles accidentally saved Jon Dorenbos’ life
At the time of the trade, Jon Dorenbos was a fit, 37-year-old long snapper with a few years left in the tank. He had no plans of retirement or health concerns of any kind as he prepared for his first season with the Saints in 2017.
But because he was recently traded, Dorenbos had to pass a physical before playing for his new team. During that physical, Saints’ team doctor, John Amoss, diagnosed him with an aortic aneurysm, which is a dangerous enlargement of the aorta. Dorenbos was told if he played in the Saints’ season-opener the next week, he could’ve died had he taken a hit to the chest. His football career was officially over, but his life had been saved. “Saved by a Saint,” as Dorenbos puts it.
Soon after his diagnosis, Dorenbos underwent open-heart surgery that lasted 11 hours. It was a long road back, but he fully recovered from the extensive surgery. After he got back on his feet, Dorenbos and his wife, Annalise, adopted a Goldendoodle. Naturally, they named him Saint.
Jon Dorenbos went on to become a famous magician and public speaker
Near the end of his NFL career, Jon Dorenbos shifted his focus to his new life off the football field. Dorenbos had always been passionate about magic and entertaining people. In 2016, he entered NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent and instantly became a phenomenon.
Dorenbos rode his mind-bending magic tricks all the way to the finale, finishing in third place in Season 11.
He has since become a famous keynote speaker and author. Dorenbos’ live show, Life Is Magic, tells his story from tragedy to self-discovery. He also released a book with the same title in 2019.
