McKee’s Brazil Mission Draws Spotlight During Eagles Broadcast

The NBC broadcast of Philadelphia’s game against Washington on November 1 turned briefly to quarterback Tanner McKee’s two years of missionary service in Brazil. As McKee gathered with teammates in the second quarter, the broadcast showed photos taken during his mission, including one of him carrying a football on a bus between Paranaguá and Curitiba.

Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said McKee learned Portuguese while serving. Tirico also described the limited time missionaries have for sports, saying McKee might have had one day a week for football and athletic activities. He spoke of missions as a source of spiritual grounding during later challenges.

McKee entered the season as Philadelphia’s third-string quarterback after being drafted in the sixth round from Stanford. He moved into the starting role after Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve with pulmonary emboli and backup Andy Dalton was released.

McKee has started the Eagles’ past three games, all losses. In those games, he completed 72 of 114 passes for 638 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that McKee would remain the starter, while the team considers changes to its scheme and practice approach in search of answers.