If you’re from Philly, you already know this isn’t just about football. Being an Eagles fan is a way of life. An often painful, and recently, occasionally euphoric existence. If you want to know whether someone’s really one of us, there’s a litmus test. Not one you study for, one you live through.
The Questions:
What team do you hate the most?
If the answer isn’t Dallas, throw the whole person out of the club. It’s not even about the team, it’s about the fans. Dallas fans in Philly are like mosquitoes in December; they shouldn’t exist. Giants fans? At least they get it honest. Their roots are in Jersey, or their family raised them watching Lawrence Taylor. There is heritage. But a Dallas fan in Delco? That’s usually someone trying to be a jerk.
What story are you tired of hearing?
Snowballs at Santa. We get it. It was 1968. The team was garbage. The Santa was drinking and wore a moth-eaten suit. We were angry. We booed him. We moved on. The national media hasn’t.
What question do you still want an answer to?
Did McNabb puke in the Super Bowl? Maybe. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was the moment, maybe it didn’t even happen. But every fan has debated it at some point. No matter what, that game still hurts.
What is the greatest ‘What If’ in franchise history?
What if T.O. and McNabb had stayed together for five full seasons with the Eagles? That’s the barbershop debate, the Wawa parking lot argument, the thing we’ll never stop wondering about. For one season, they were unstoppable. But ego and locker room issues took away what could’ve been a dynasty.
What do you feel about Donovan McNabb?
Love him or hate him, you can’t talk about the Eagles without mentioning McNabb. Some fans still think he didn’t get enough credit. Others will never forgive his passive-aggressive pressers. But he’s in your heart, one way or another. He’s a part of the test.
What do you expect to happen in big games?
Being let down! It’s in our DNA. There’s an old joke I have said many times: “I want the Eagles players to be pallbearers at my funeral so they can let me down one more time.” It’s dark. It’s funny. It’s Philly.
The You Know Where You Were Moments:
When Brandon Graham stripped Brady, we finally won a Lombardi.
When Foles said, “You want Philly Philly?” and ran the play of the century.
When DeSean backpedaled into the end zone after returning a punt, and erased the Giants.
When Cooper DeJean celebrated his Birthday in style.
When 4th and 26 became a real-life miracle.
When Brian Dawkins hit Alge Crumpler so hard, it echoed.
When Emmitt got stuffed. Twice.
When Reggie White made you believe defense was a religion.
When Joe Jurevicius broke your heart, he is likely still running.
Ronde Barber, when he was running away with your childhood.
When Wilbert Montgomery ended the Dallas Cowboys’ postseason at the Vet.
Carson Wentz in LA.
The Koy Detmer belt celebration.
Dawkins, when he crawled out of the tunnel like an avenger.
Eric Allen returned a 94-yard interception to the house and gave the ball to Randall, who is in the endzone on crutches.
Bryce Paup tackling Randall Cunningham.
Rambling Randall eluding Carl Banks.
The sad news of Jerome Brown.
When Reggie White left Philly for Green Bay.
“For who, for what?” Oh, Ricky!
When the Eagles demolished the Lions in the postseason.
44–6, hello playoffs.
Alge Crumpler takes a body blow.
“Hallelujah”
When Brian Dawkins returned to the Linc.
The “Dream Team”.
Kelce’s costume. Kelce’s speech.
Jalen Mills’ finger wag and sprint as the pass to Julio Jones falls incomplete.
Patrick Robinson’s pick-six.
The Fog Bowl.
The Snow Bowl.
Winning two Super Bowls!
And many more.
The Fans:
Running into pillars in subway stations.
Catching babies…unlike Agholor.
Climbing greased poles.
Smiling as opposing team fans pose at the Rocky statue, knowing it’s a curse waiting to strike.
“Two years…varsity”
“Go Birds!” Greeting a Vikings fan.
Mary Kate, when she asks what the team is doing in the purest form.
And the hundreds of other memes that have become an integral part of our fandom.
Final Test:
How many of these did you know? There’s no score. You either bleed green or you don’t.
And ‘Go Birds’, but ake sure to emphasize the “O”
As always, thank you for reading!
Follow me on X @PHLEagleNews
REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES)
