PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In the coming weeks, the Eagles will receive custom rings to celebrate their momentous achievement of winning the Lombardi Trophy.
Taking a page out of their book, the Erwin-Ford family, who watched the absolute beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs from their grandparents’ Richboro home in Bucks County, decided to commemorate the win a little differently: with permanent ink.
“[My nephew] Chris had made a good point that we never really have to wear an Eagles shirt again because we always have it on us,” said Kristen Erwin.
Kristen, her nephews Chris and Nick Ford, grandfather, and father Tom Erwin all got matching Eagles tattoos shortly after the Super Bowl win.
But what makes this story especially touching is that the tattoos are, in essence, an homage to the patriarch of the family: Tom, who is 82 years young.
“There’s something about coming from Philadelphia,” said Tom. “We have so much tradition … Philadelphia is a great city and so much tradition. And we joke about ‘People don’t like us and we don’t care.’ … Philadelphia, we take a bad rap, but when you go down to an Eagles game or you go to a parade, everybody there is your brother or sister or relative.”
Tom has set the tone in his family of being a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan. He now shares it with two generations after him, as they all sport the same Kelly Green Eagles logo as a tattoo.
And to make this even more special, Nick, 18, decided to have Tom’s initials, “TE,” written on one of the wings of his tattoo. And to take the gesture even further, Nick had Tom write the outline of those initials himself.
“My two grandsons are the dearest possessions I have, and for them to latch onto the Eagles — I’m getting a little emotional — to have them love a team that I love and be part of it is just unbelievable,” Tom said.
Kristen said her dad didn’t know if he’d ever get a Super Bowl. Now, they joke about having two.
“And you watched it with your grandsons, and they’re very spoiled that they got two well before him and I did. It’s just a special place … It’s a cool city and great fans. When players finally understand Philadelphia, it’s the greatest place to ever play.”
For the full interview, tune into the latest edition of the KYW Newsradio Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week