Nick Foles wins two golds in amateur pickleball at PPA Finals

Nick Foles did not just show up for pickleball’s celebrity appeal in San Clemente. The former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl MVP left the CIBC PPA Finals with two gold medals, winning both the 3.0 mixed doubles and men’s doubles divisions at Life Time in early December 2023.

Foles partnered with his wife, Tori, in mixed doubles and with friend Jim Davenport in men’s doubles, a setup that fit the personal tone he brought to the event. He described 2023 as a “family year,” and said he still made time to compete while balancing life with his wife and kids. That blend of high profile and low-key entry has become part of pickleball’s newest draw: a sport where a championship venue can be filled by amateurs, former pros and recognizable names from other leagues.

The performance mattered because it came in amateur brackets, not an exhibition. Foles was not there for a cameo. He won both divisions he entered, a result that underlines how quickly some crossover athletes are adapting to the sport’s rhythm, spacing and shot tolerance. Foles said the biggest skill he brings from football is the ability to move on after mistakes and not dwell on lost points, a trait that translated cleanly to pickleball’s fast resets and short memory requirement.

That competitive standard is helping drive the sport’s visibility. Former Super Bowl champion wide receiver Golden Tate also played in the same event in men’s 4.5 doubles, adding to the NFL flavor around the tournament. The presence of names like Foles and Tate gives local brackets more attention, but it also changes expectations for everyday players. Amateur events are no longer just weekend rec play with a bracket attached. At the PPA Finals, they are becoming real stages where well-known athletes are judged on results, not reputation.

The tournament’s San Clemente setting added to that sense of scale. The event was held at Life Time, with off-site parking at the Outlets at San Clemente and shuttle service for players and fans. The PPA Finals returned to San Clemente in 2024, and the 2026 Toys “R” Us PPA Finals were scheduled for May 4-10, 2026 at Life Time Rancho San Clemente. With major athletes crossing over and major venues staying in rotation, amateur pickleball is increasingly looking like a place where celebrity, competition and real stakes now meet on the same court.