When Philadelphia Eagles Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata recorded their holiday LP “A Philly Special Christmas,” producers hoped to raise $30,000 for charity. They miscalculated: Sales have been so robust that they’ve already contributed $250,000 to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, with more to come.
Though all three offensive linemen sing on the album — Johnson is actually pretty good, and while Kelce sounds like a singing bear, his enthusiasm carries him through. The clear star of the show, though, is Jordan Mailata, the Australian rugby player-turned-left tackle whose vocal chops are so good he competed on “The Masked Singer” to widespread acclaim. This track pairs him with Alma Horton, a Philadelphia-based soul singer who performs as Lady Alma.
The album sold out its second vinyl pressing in two minutes, prompting a third and final pressing that won’t be delivered until February. It will be available on streaming services beginning Friday.