When ESPN needed the ultimate voice to kick off its coverage of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, they looked to the heart of Philadelphia sports. And they didn't choose a Hall of Famer or a fan-favorite superstar. They went with a man who embodies the city's grit, loyalty, and passion: "Big Dom" DiSandro.
Philadelphia is home to legendary icons like Julius Erving, Mike Schmidt, Allen Iverson, Bobby Clarke, and Bernard Hopkins. Recent heroes like Brian Dawkins, Jason Kelce, and Bryce Harper also come to mind. Not to mention golf royalty—Jim Furyk, a major champion and newly named U.S. Ryder Cup captain, hails from nearby West Chester. But for the opening of the PGA Championship on Thursday, May 14, ESPN chose the Eagles' senior adviser to the general manager and chief security officer—a man who has become a symbol of Philly's fierce spirit.
As PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ began its broadcast, DiSandro's voice welcomed viewers with a powerful tribute to the city and the game. "How much does Philly figure in the history of America and golf? I am at liberty to say, and that says everything," he said. "My town has seen it all, huge moments made possible by men determined to set a new course or tame an old one. Philly demands respect for all it stands for and everything it's seen. It's at stately buildings and on tricky fairways and greens, here, where independence was declared, we, the people, are united by love of country, city and, this week, the PGA Championship."
DiSandro has been a fixture with the Eagles since 1999, walking off the field alongside head coach Nick Sirianni after every game. But he burst into the national spotlight on December 3, 2023, during a heated matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. When 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw body-slammed Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith along the sideline, DiSandro stepped in. Greenlaw made contact with his face, and both were ejected. That moment cemented DiSandro's reputation as a protector of the team—and a true Philly icon.
But there's more to "Big Dom" than sideline security. He advises Eagles GM Howie Roseman on draft prospects and wears a headset as a respected member of the coaching staff. According to The Athletic, he recently signed a contract extension, solidifying his role as one of the most unique and beloved figures in Philadelphia sports. And now, with his voice echoing across the fairways of Aronimink, he's shown that the spirit of Philly isn't just on the gridiron—it's on the golf course, too.