Kindness Beyond Rivalry: Eagles’ Big Dom Brings Cheesesteaks and Pizza to Injured Giants Rookie Cam Skattebo

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA — In the rough, bruising world of NFL football, it’s easy to think everything is about competition, pride, and fierce rivalries. But every once in a while, a small act of kindness reminds everyone that even in one of sports’ fiercest rivalries, humanity still comes first.
That’s exactly what happened this week, when Dom DiSandro, the Philadelphia Eagles’ longtime senior advisor to the general manager and chief security officer — affectionately known around the league as “Big Dom” — made a heartfelt gesture that caught national attention.
After New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a dislocated right ankle during Sunday’s game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Big Dom personally stopped by the hospital the following day to deliver fresh pizza and cheesesteaks from one of Philadelphia’s most beloved spots — Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philly.
It wasn’t a flashy or staged moment. There were no cameras, no press releases, and no social media posts from the team. Just a genuine show of compassion from one football family to another.
A Rival’s Pain, A City’s Respect
Skattebo, a fourth-round pick from Arizona State in the 2025 NFL Draft, had been making the most of his early opportunities in the league. In Sunday’s game, he had already recorded three carries for 12 yards and an 18-yard touchdown reception when the injury occurred midway through the second quarter.
As medical staff rushed to the field, the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field — a notoriously passionate and vocal fan base — fell silent. When Skattebo was carted off, something rare happened: Eagles fans rose to their feet and applauded.
That moment of respect, followed by Big Dom’s visit the next day, showed a softer side of Philadelphia — a city that’s often misunderstood as tough, but is deeply loyal and compassionate when it matters most.
“I just want to thank the city of Philly for taking the best care of me,” Skattebo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after being discharged from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center on Monday afternoon. “Every moment I spent in the hospital with family and friends, I felt loved and supported in every way.”
His message quickly went viral, drawing admiration from fans of both teams — and from across the league.
Big Dom: Philly’s Quiet Hero
For most Eagles fans, Big Dom DiSandro needs no introduction. He’s a beloved figure within the organization — a behind-the-scenes enforcer, father figure, and ambassador for Philadelphia’s heart.
Over his 25 years with the team, Big Dom has built a reputation for taking care of everyone — from star players to stadium staff. Whether it’s calming tensions during heated sideline moments or quietly checking in on injured opponents, his presence has become a symbol of what the Eagles stand for off the field.
“That’s just who Dom is,” said one team staffer. “He’s got a huge heart. He’s been around long enough to know that football is family — even when the jerseys are different colors.”
When DiSandro heard that Skattebo was recovering at a local hospital, he decided to do something simple yet meaningful. He picked up a few classic Philly staples — cheesesteaks and pizzas from Angelo’s, a local institution known for feeding everyone from construction workers to celebrities — and personally dropped them off for the young running back and his family.
According to CBS News Philadelphia, there was no media coordination. Big Dom didn’t alert anyone beforehand. He just showed up.
And that, perhaps, is what made the gesture resonate even more.
The Human Side of the Game
In a league defined by fierce competition, multi-million-dollar contracts, and endless media scrutiny, it’s easy to forget the shared humanity beneath the helmets.
Big Dom’s gesture bridged that divide — a reminder that the people playing, coaching, and supporting these teams are more than rivals; they’re humans who care for one another, even when the scoreboard says otherwise.
“Moments like this remind us what sports are really about,” said one fan in a viral TikTok video reacting to the story. “Yeah, we talk trash, we love our teams — but at the end of the day, we respect the game and the people in it.”
The reaction across fan bases was overwhelmingly positive. Giants fans thanked Philadelphia for showing compassion, while Eagles fans expressed pride in DiSandro’s gesture, calling him “the heart of Philly.”
“That’s why Big Dom is the man,” one fan commented on Reddit. “You can boo the Giants all day, but when a guy gets hurt, we show up for him. That’s Philly.”
Cam Skattebo’s Long Road Ahead
Skattebo’s injury required immediate surgery Sunday night, according to Giants head coach Brian Daboll. The team has not released an official timetable for his return, but early reports suggest the rookie could miss the remainder of the season.
Still, the outpouring of support — from both Giants teammates and the Eagles community — has clearly lifted his spirits.
“It’s tough, man,” said Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. “Cam’s got so much fire. Seeing the way Philly treated him — the fans, the staff, Big Dom — it meant a lot to all of us. It reminds you that this game is bigger than rivalry.”
The rookie’s brief moment on the field was a promising glimpse of his potential — especially that 18-yard touchdown catch, which showcased the explosiveness that made him a draft favorite for New York. While his debut season may have ended early, his impact — and the sportsmanship surrounding his injury — will be remembered long after.
Philly’s Heart on Display
For the Eagles, Sunday’s 38–20 victory over the Giants was their most complete performance of the season. Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes, Saquon Barkley scored twice, and the defense looked dominant once again.
But the moment that stuck with many fans didn’t happen between the whistles. It happened the next day, in a hospital room, where an Eagles staff member walked in carrying a bag of cheesesteaks and a few boxes of pizza — a taste of Philly hospitality for a young man in pain.
It was a small gesture, but one that said everything about the kind of culture the Eagles have built under Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman — a mix of toughness, loyalty, and empathy.
“We compete like crazy, but we respect everyone,” Sirianni said when asked about DiSandro’s visit. “That’s the Philly way. That’s Big Dom.”
More Than a Game
The NFL can often feel like a machine — driven by headlines, stats, and rivalries. But this story cut through the noise, showing what football can still represent at its best: connection, community, and compassion.
As the Eagles head into their bye week at 6–2, and the Giants regroup after another difficult loss, one truth lingers: for all the toughness that defines the game, kindness can leave the biggest impact of all.
“It’s bigger than football,” Skattebo wrote. “Thank you, Philly.”
And somewhere in South Philly, Big Dom DiSandro is probably smiling — knowing that in a city built on grit, a little heart still goes a long way.