On Sunday, Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles dropped their first contest since losing to the Washington Commanders in Week 16 last season. There’s a deeper issue within the setback, however.
Stephen A. Smith advised Sirianni to iron out what he wants his team to resemble.
“Where’s the defense? Where’s the offense?” Smith said Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “On the offensive side of the ball, you’re running the football just twice in the second half. You’re throwing the football 38 times. You’re going up against your supposed identity. Why? Because you’re hearing noise from folks about A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith?
“Nick Sirianni has to make up his mind. Are you the boss or not? And conduct yourself accordingly in terms of doing what you can to prioritize winning football games instead of appeasing people.”
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Leading up to the 21-17 defeat to Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos, reports of Sirianni’s top two receivers being disgruntled swirled. He responded by diminishing his rushing attack, spearheaded by Saquon Barkley, and having Jalen Hurts air the ball out more.
“Nick Sirianni has to make up his mind. Are you the boss or not?” @stephenasmith on the Eagles after their loss to the Broncos. pic.twitter.com/lE8x89Bh0Y
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 6, 2025
Hurts finished 23 for 38 for 280 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but Barkley was only granted six carries for 30 yards.
“The fact that the Eagles lost this game is one thing,” Smith said. “But the fact that they shed their identity, they don’t seem to know who they are, they don’t seem to be married to a certain culture, a certain way of winning football games, I think that’s something that could be incredibly alarming and we should pay attention to that.”
BREAKING: Xavier Legette’s Life-Changing Act of Kindness Stuns Waitress at Local Diner
In the bustling atmosphere of a small downtown diner in Columbia, South Carolina, 24-year-old waitress Lily Thompson had no idea that her Monday morning would be forever changed. Lily was simply going about her usual routine: pouring coffee, taking orders, and serving guests with the usual smile. Little did she know, a quiet customer wearing a hoodie and baseball cap was about to alter the course of her life.
That customer was none other than Xavier Legette, a rising star and wide receiver for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Unassuming and polite, Legette finished his meal without drawing attention to himself. He thanked Lily for her service, left a generous tip, and walked out the door, leaving no sign of the extraordinary impact he had just made.
It wasn’t until after Legette had left that Lily noticed something unusual. She found a folded receipt tucked beneath the salt shaker on the table where he had been sitting. Expecting the usual tip, Lily opened it—only to freeze in shock. Inside, there was a handwritten note and something that would bring her to tears.
“Thank you for your kindness and hard work. People like you are the backbone of this country. Keep going—you’re stronger than you know.” – Xavier Legette
Alongside the note: a $10,000 tip. And a personal offer to pay off her student loans in full.
The gesture was beyond Lily’s wildest imagination. Coworkers rushed to comfort her as the weight of the moment sank in. “I was speechless,” Lily shared in a tearful interview. “I’ve been juggling two jobs and taking care of my younger brother while trying to pay off my student debt. This note didn’t just help me financially; it made me feel seen, heard, and appreciated. I’ve never had anything like this happen before.”
The story of Legette’s generosity quickly spread, capturing hearts across the nation. What began as a simple meal turned into a viral sensation, with fans flocking to social media to praise Legette for his act of kindness. The hashtag #BeLikeXavier began trending, encouraging others to engage in small acts of compassion.
For Lily, the tip meant more than just financial relief—it marked the beginning of a new chapter. With her student loans wiped out, she is now working toward launching a nonprofit café that will support working students, a dream she had put on hold for far too long.
When asked about the now-famous tip, Legette responded with his trademark humility during a press conference.
“It’s not about how much you give,” he said, downplaying the gesture. “It’s about recognizing the people who make life better without getting the credit they deserve. Lily reminded me of that.”
Legette’s kindness was an example of how far-reaching small gestures of generosity can be. As fans from across the country continue to share the hashtag #BeLikeXavier, it’s clear that acts of compassion have the power to change lives—and inspire others to do the same.
