2018. The year of the bird. The year that the championship-starved city of Philadelphia would parade the streets in pure joy as the beloved Eagles brought home the Lombardi Trophy. The most unlikely season of them all for this to happen, is what made it the most exciting.
The season was injury ridden in a consistent pattern since it started. Caleb Sturgis and Ronald Darby went down in week 1. Darren Sproles went down in week 3. Chris Maragos in week 6. Starting Middle Linebacker Jordan Hicks, and Jason Peters, one of the best OL in league for the past 10 years, both went onto IR in week 7. MVP candidate, Carson Wentz in week 14. We expected to be good this season, but we didn’t expect to be great.
The injuries, a big mid-season acquisition, the underdog masks, FREE MEEK MILL, #AllWeGotAllWeNeed; the team has character. Throughout the season, it was fun to get to learn more about the players’ personalities off the field through social media, and relate it to their playing style on the field. The team had a very special family mentality and bond that was evident to those that followed the team closely. See, when you don’t miss a single play of a single game of a team that you have been following for decades, and your from Philadelphia, that is where PASSION is found (or a Philadelphia sports fan).
February 4th 2018 was one of the best days of my life. My brother Jesse turned 24 on this weekend, and we ventured to Minnesota for the Superbowl. We managed to pull the trip off smoothly and even caught a great Dave Matthews Band show the night before. We got to visit the Mall of America, explore a bit of the city (when it wasn’t snowing outside) and we scored some incredible tickets:
Not only was it the best game ever played (because the Eagles won the SUPERBOWL), but it was a truly entertaining Superbowl. The gun-slinging duo of Brady and Foles contributed to the 1,151 total yards of offense, the most in Superbowl history. While the combined final score didn’t break records, the game was close and exciting the entire time. By far, the most unique moment was the ‘Philly Special’. Watch the video in fast motion (and imagine the intensity of this game, on 4th down, a crazy play call). Notice Nick Foles’ conversation with Doug Pederson. It was so casual, so smooth, and so ******* awesome.
A T-shirt has already arrived at my front door, featuring nothing but the football play in X’s and O’s. For those that are from Philadelphia, this will go down as the greatest play call in history. The game came down to the wire, with Tom Brady poised for another one of his ‘legendary’ comebacks. Enter GangGreen. Brandon Graham 55, who has been a beast all season, strip sacked Brady to (practically) seal the deal. What a way to beat the GOAT. SIT DOWN BRADY!
And just in case this photo doesn’t show you enough, here are some other angles:
They accomplished the unthinkable. A city so starving for a Superbowl victory got exactly what it deserved. The fans are the most passionate in the world, and sharing that with my brother at the Superbowl, on sports’ biggest stage, was everything. When asked what the best part of the weekend was, it is a simple answer: Sharing the camaraderie with the most passionate fan base in the world. There is truly nothing like it, and those not from Philly simply will not understand.
Most outsiders, do not think highly of our fanbase. And that is fine. But while commenting on the fans, this is a great time to address the 2/100 rule that is in effect. Only 2 out of every 100 Philadelphians would participate in some of the things seen on national TV and social media; the rest are just loud. And frankly, while some of the acts are quite troubling, I can’t say I didn’t laugh my ass off.
I say it loudly and proudly: The Philadelphia Eagles and Superbowl Champions. I cannot wait for next year, when the team will try to prove to the doubters that are still out there, just how great of a team we have. It is even more exciting because most are sticking around.
I leave you with the best speech in Philadelphia history, on February 8th of 2018 during the Superbowl Parade, which was given by the new forever mascot of the city, Jason Kelce:
