Gloucester Twp. Native Shines In NFL Debut With Eagles

PHILADELPHIA — Gloucester Township native Jihaad Campbell made an instant impact in his pro debut with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Dallas Cowboys were at the Eagles' 11-yard line with the chance to dismantle the Birds' 24-20 lead in the third quarter. Cowboys running back Miles Sanders took the handoff, juking at the line of scrimmage to find open space.

But Campbell, an Erial native, was just ahead of him, tackling Sanders and forcing a fumble that Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell picked up.

The score held, as the Eagles opened the NFL season with a 24-20 victory.

The Eagles drafted Campbell in the first round earlier this year. And the Timber Creek Regional High School product made his debut under circumstances that South Jersey youth football dream of: suiting up for his hometown team against a rival squad in a nationally televised prime time game.

A few plays before forcing the fumble, Campbell broke up a 30-yard pass — not an easy feat for a linebacker.

The score held, as the Eagles opened the NFL season with a 24-20 victory.

Campbell finished the game with three tackles, including the forced fumble.

The Eagles drafted Campbell in the first round earlier this year. And the Timber Creek Regional High School product made his debut in a scenario that South Jersey youth football players dream of: suiting up for his hometown team against a rival squad in a nationally televised prime time game.

"It was very special just to come out here and represent (the) Philadelphia Eagles organization," Campbell said after the game. "My family, I appreciate them for coming out and supporting me. This brotherhood and this amazing staff that we have here, I'm blessed and I'm honored to be in this position that I'm in today."