PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia fans often say this is the greatest sports town in America. John Corrigan, 59, of Tampa, can pretty much corroborate that firsthand.
“We are more knowledgeable,” said Corrigan, a financial consultant. “Whether it’s the way we observe things, the way we see things, the way we react to things. I just think we’re at a different level than Boston. I just feel like we’re smarter.”
Corrigan would know. He’s been a fan for more than 50 years, straight out of the womb – as he put it. He feels fortunate to be old enough to experience and remember the Flyers, Phillies, Sixers and Eagles winning titles. He left Philadelphia in the early 1980s to attend Boston University. He then lived in Chicago for many years as he raised his family. And his most recent relocation is Florida.
While Corrigan hasn’t lived in Philadelphia for over 40 years, his passion and love for these teams hasn’t wavered.
“He puts his money where his mouth is,” explained his longtime friend Mike Schmidt (no, not the Phillies Mike Schmidt. Pretty cool name though, right?)
Corrigan, a self-described “10 for 10” fan because of his love for the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, Big 5 and BU, has traveled home many times over the years, as well as to other parts of the country, to watch his beloved teams play in person. If there’s a big game, there’s a decent chance Corrigan is there — whether it’s the 2001 NBA Finals, the 2009 World Series or the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, and others that we’ll get to in a bit.
Simply put, the days of modern big screen TV’s, surround sound systems and super comfortable couches doesn’t beat the energy, vibrations and roars a South Philadelphia crowd can offer.
“You can't experience that at home,” said Corrigan, who attended a number of Red October Phillies playoff games over the past two seasons. “You just can't. To be in the crowd and to be a part of that environment, you can't describe it. You have to live it.”
Corrigan wanted to live it so much that he had Eagles season tickets for 11 years during the Donovan McNabb-Andy Reid era. From 2001 through 2011, again while living in the Windy City, Corrigan had seats in the 700 Level at Veterans Stadium and section C2 at Lincoln Financial Field. Corrigan gave them up because he sensed that era of Eagles football was coming to an end – which was accurate – and said the Eagles wanted him to re-up his seats for another nine to 10 year commitment.
Yet, that doesn’t mean Corrigan has stayed out of the 215 when it comes to Eagles home games. He was in attendance at the Eagles blowout of the Vikings in the 2017-18 NFC Championship Game and he attended Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis with his wife, who captured his reactions to “The Philly Special” and the final play on her phone. Corrigan was going nuts.
“It’s just 57 years of just waiting and just exhaling and just exalting in really a great win. And the fact that they beat [Tom] Brady, that just is the topper of the whole thing,” said Corrigan, who recognizes how fortunate he is to be able to hop on planes as often as he has done to attend these games.
American Airlines has certainly had a loyal executive platinum member for several years.
Corrigan said he pinches himself every day knowing how lucky he is.
“He’s just so passionate about each one of the Philadelphia teams,” Schmidt said. “Here’s a guy who went to school in Boston, after college got married, moved to Chicago and now is in Florida. So he’s been pretty much out of Philadelphia since his early 20s. Last year's run with the Phillies was amazing because I would go to every game. He would be at every game.”
Simply put, Corrigan has never lost the pride for his hometown teams while in other cities. They mean too much to him.
“I love bragging about our teams because I love them that much.”
If the Eagles somehow turn their season around and make it to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, there’s probably a decent chance Corrigan will be there. At the very least he’ll take a look at the prices.
“If the Eagles win the NFC Championship,” said Schmidt, “[Corrigan will say,] ‘Who’s coming out to this game? Because I’m going.’”