PHILADELPHIA — While we found gifts under the Christmas tree Monday, Athens native Reed Blankenship found a green dot on his Philadelphia Eagles helmet before their game with the New York Giants.

The second-year player was designated the Eagles’ defensive on-field play caller because the team’s two starting linebackers, who normally would have the green dot, did not play because of injuries. In the NFL, the green dot signifies the one helmet fitted with radio communication to the coaching staff.

This season, Blankenship, who graduated from West Limestone High School, has played 98% of the Eagles snaps on defense in his 14 games – he missed the second game of the season with a concussion.

That was a major part of the reason he got the green dot in this game, according to the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia wanted one consistent voice to relay his play calls from the sideline. And the obvious candidate was Blankenship.

“It was a fun experience,” Blankenship said. “I kind of like being the vocal guy out there. It made me feel confident that they trusted me enough to be able to relay the calls back and forth.”