Following the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX, Twitter (I refuse to call it X) was flooded by critics disparaging the team — particularly its fanbase. The notion of Philadelphia sports fans as barbaric, rowdy and impolite is well-established among the NFL, with many jabs centering on the Broad Street pole climbing and the general chaos that befalls the city in the aftermath of an Eagles win or loss. While it’s easy to hop on a bandwagon and deride Philly sports fans for their overzealous enthusiasm, I (an incredibly biased Eagles fan) argue that the City of Brotherly Love boasts the most spirited and dedicated following in football — a point of pride rather than shame.
The star power of the Eagles in recent years has led to resentment for the team’s success against other former champions. Yet, the Eagles’ very first Super Bowl win was in 2018 — marking the end to a 57-year drought in which the Birds failed to take home a single title. Their ascent to the same throne only 7 years later may irk NFL fans for whom the memory of Super Bowl LII is still fresh, but, in the grand scheme of things, the Eagles enjoy only two national championships across the span of almost sixty years. Philadelphia rallies around the Eagles so fiercely because they are an underdog story — the victors against all odds.
The endearing nature of the team also comes from the personability of their players. Jalen Hurts — starting quarterback, Super Bowl MVP, paid $255 million for a five-year extension contract — is the only player in the NFL with an all-female management team. Commenting on this rare choice, Hurts said “it’s an eye that I don’t have that I’m able to lean on in certain situations. That’s something I value heavily.” Gorgeous and an outspoken feminist (did I mention gorgeous?), it’s hard to understand why anyone wouldn’t root for his success.
Hurts is only one among many of the genuine personalities who populate the Eagles’ roster. Cooper DeJean, 22-year-old cornerback, is a baby-faced ray of sunshine fresh out of college whose birthday touchdown in Super Bowl LIX was a historic first. His dual status as a ’03 baby and Super Bowl champion making millions a year is unbelievably impressive (and deeply shameful for me, circa 2005, who struggles to cook anything more sophisticated than microwaved mac-n-cheese).
Saquon Barkley, renowned as the greatest running back of this generation, is a prime example of born-and-bred Pennsylvania excellence. He played high school football in eastern Pennsylvania, went on to dominate at Penn State and had a record-breaking year in his first season with the Eagles. After half a decade of being undervalued and disrespected by the Giants, Barkley made an immediate splash with his 3-touchdown debut for the Eagles against the Packers. Barkley’s speed and agility has transformed the Eagles’ offensive game — once that ball is in hands, there is very little that can get in his way. But beyond a phenomenal athlete, Barkley is a standout father. His favorite pregame ritual is his secret handshake with his six-year-old daughter, Jada. He is always sure to include his two-year-old son, Saquon Jr., in his postgame interviews.
Giving back to the community is also central to the Eagles’ mission. The Eagles Autism Foundation raised over eight million dollars in the last year alone towards 53 projects specializing in cutting-edge autism research and care. The Eagles Eye Mobile has worked for over 20 years in providing comprehensive vision care to under-insured and uninsured children in the greater Philadelphia area. The Eagles consistently invest in Philadelphia’s public school system, with Jalen Hurts making a personal donation of $200,000 towards air conditioning units and former center Jason Kelce leading an initiative to distribute Christmas presents among schoolchildren whose parents couldn’t afford a visit from Santa.
It is also important to consider the racial composition of Philadelphia — 40% of the city is Black — making Black people the largest racial group in the city. When compared with Kansas City, which is 57% white and only 25% Black, there is an interesting disparity in how behaviors of fans — which, pragmatically, aren’t incredibly different — are described. The language surrounding the conduct of Eagles fans disparages the community as rowdy, as impolite, as uncivilized, while other fanbases who are similarly fervid are described as spirited, passionate or invested.
Weighed against the childish rhetoric of “Eagles fans are mean,” the hatred towards a team who embodies underdog success, invests so much into their local community, and highlights genuine hard work and character is clearly undeserved. Maturing is realizing that Eagles haters are simply jealous their own team lacks the unity and spirit of Philadelphia — kelly green with envy.
