Maya Martin, Editor

Some of the Philadelphia Eagles players are coming together for their second year to release another hit Christmas album to raise money for local charities.

Last December, Eagles players including center Jason Kelce and offensive tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson formed the musical group “The Philly Specials.” They released their seven-song album entitled “A Philly Special Christmas” which helped raise over $1.25 million for local charities in vinyl record sales. Most of the proceeds went to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia.

This year, the players are looking to beat last year’s sales with their new album entitled “A Philly Special Christmas Special.” Each Friday until Dec. 1, a song from the album will be released. The album is 11 songs and set to be fully released on music streaming services on Dec. 1, but presales for the vinyls have already begun on the Philly Special Christmas website.

It will include covers of hit holiday songs. Here is the track listing:

1. The Christmas Song

2. This Christmas

3. Dominick The Donkey

4. Santa’s Night

5. Christmas Time Is Here

6. All I Want for Christmas Is You

7. Pretty Paper

8. The Dreidel Song

9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

10. Fairytale of Philadelphia

11. Auld Lang Syne

Although most of the tracks on the album are classics and holiday hits, “Santa’s Night” is a Jason Kelce original that will be featured. Another last-minute addition was Mailata’s cover of  “All I Want for Christmas is You.” 

As a preview to the album, “All I Want for Christmas is You” is already pre-released and can be listened to on music streaming services. Mailtata is known for his athletic expertise as he is a former rugby player and a current football player, however, his musical ability does not go unnoticed.

“I’ve always been singing,” Mailata told 6ABC Philadelphia. “Music was my first love before sports. For me, this is no new territory. This is familiar territory for me. It’s just like breathing.”

The Bird’s players are not the only spotlights on the album, however. They also teamed up with special guests Patti Labelle, members from The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog and Sun Ra Arkestra. Last year the features of other artists and colleague football players of the Philly Specials were a highlight of the album.

Because Jason Kelce’s brother, Travis Kelce, is dating popstar Taylor Swift and she is an Eagles fan, some fans are wondering if Swift will bring the Philly Specials with her for a special appearance on tour. However, “There’s no word at this point as to whether she will bring the Philly Specials with her for the overseas leg of the Eras Tour,” Bleacher Report said.

As for now, Swifties and Eagles fans will have to wait to see if they collaborate in the future, but in the meantime, there is the “Philly Special Christmas Special” album release on Dec. 1 to look forward to. So, tune in each Friday to hear what new songs are released from the album!