PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Big Ed Callahan, 79, has been an Eagles fan for 71 years. His first game was at Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium in 1954 for his eighth birthday.
That day, the Eagles came back on the Steelers 24-22 and he fell in love with Hall of Famer Pete Pihos, who caught the game-winning touchdown. Since then, he’s taken seven decades of loyalty and fandom through a 28-year Navy deployment across the world — where he stayed up to date on the Eagles thanks to John Facenda’s NFL Films storytelling, season tickets in the 700 Level at Veterans Stadium and today in section 239 at Lincoln Financial Field
“I will take that fandom to the grave,” said the proud Philadelphia native.
Callahan has pride for the organization, the people who work for the Eagles and those who support a two-decade-long tailgate — put together by Callahan and those close to him for Eagles home games, as well as away games here and there.
The Eagle Mobile II is a well-known RV tailgate in E Lot at Xfinity Mobile Arena, that Callahan said averages about 100 to 120 people per game — close friends and family, regular supporters and people coming by to see the buzz.
The core, as Callahan refers to him and the team that put this together, arrives when the lots open seven hours before kickoff. He gives big credit to Old English Pizza in Bridesburg for donating food and helping them make their lunches professionally. All the food cooked at the tailgate is free, and anyone is welcome to dig in. All they ask is that you participate in their charitable efforts to raise money for the Eagles Autism Foundation, a cause that’s near and dear to Callahan, as he has family on the spectrum. They raise money through raffles and merchandise, coordinated by East Torresdale Prints.
They’ve raised over $500,000 over the years and $83,000 this year, with Callahan hoping to raise $100,000 by May’s Eagles Autism Challenge. Callahan credits EAF and the Eagles' fan services department for the constant support.
Because of his fandom and charitable efforts over many seasons, Callahan was chosen as this year’s Eagles Fan of the Year, and he recently won the NFL’s Ultimate Fan of the Year.
He is the first Eagles Fan of the Year to win the NFL’s Ultimate Fan of the Year!
To hear more about Callahan, take a listen to the latest KYW Newsradio Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week: