My favorite part about covering the Philadelphia Eagles is learning and writing about the people themselves. Far beyond the X’s and O’s lies the content of each player’s character, their aspirations, where they came from, and what they overcame to achieve their goals.
This Holiday season, I want to thank you, the reader, and Philadelphia Sports Network and the Metro Philly newspaper for the medium you have provided and the opportunity I am given to expand my audience and share these stories.
To all of you who have hundreds, if not thousands, of sports outlets which you can get your content from but choose to include ours in your read, Thank you! I appreciate all of you who engage in the content, have friendly debates, and share the passion for sports that our great city offers.
I am grateful for the Philadelphia Eagles fans.
This piece is for you!
Who are Eagles Fans
Eagles fans are a fan base that embraces being the underdog and wearing underdog masks. They are home to the fans who risk their lives to catch babies being tossed from a burning home while simultaneously still finding time to make a joke about a certain WR.
They are the fan base that turns someone like Mary Kate of Haverstown into an overnight celebrity via a meme. (no sound is needed, easy translation)
“Philly gets a bad rap, and that’s horrible because we’re just passionate. I was just having fun with my kids at the game, and my husband, and we’re passionate. That’s how we are.” ~ Mary Kate
Eagles fans are people who feel proud of the conduct of their QB (Jalen Hurts) and the dignified way he handled himself when a railing full of fans fell at a rival sports stadium. His first act was to lend a hand and help his fellow man.
Brotherly love personified.
They are fans who live and embrace a city that enjoys winning more than anyone outside the area can fathom. This fan base loves their athletes, and they’ve become a permanent fabric of our town. Eagles fans are a base that stayed loyal and supported their team through 57 years of not winning a championship.
They’re fans who held or posted pictures of loved ones who were no longer with us in their hands or set out in front of the television screen the night they finally won the Super Bowl.
We are fans who went to cemeteries all over this region with SB flags that we laid on the ground of those departed or just to chat and tell them, “Hey, we finally did it.”
They are a fanbase that, if they love you, they will run through a wall/pillar for you. Just ask Jigar Desai.
Bleeding green through and through
Are some fans rude? Without a doubt. Do they boo when players aren’t giving their best effort? Absolutely. Are these behaviors exclusive to Philadelphia? Of course not!
The small percentage of fans misbehaving doesn’t define the millions of others who pledge allegiance to this city and its sports franchises that never have, nor will, treat people without respect.
That is NOT who we are. After all, we are the city of Brotherly Love.
So, for all outsiders who still want to judge Eagles fans, judge them in their totality. Don’t believe the few overblown instances glorified and falsified to fit the national media’s narrative to vilify the city. Look deeper. You will find many good-hearted, warm, loving, everyday folk, who work hard, cheer harder, and love to have a good time.
And if you still can’t find any love in your heart for us, we are the city and fan base that has embraced that, too.
No one likes us, we don’t care.
Happy Holidays!
As always, Thank you for reading
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
