PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the millions of Eagles fans in our area, the last week has been filled with passion, joy and pride. Since last Sunday, fans have been in a near-constant, glorious state of Super Bowl celebration.
Lessons learned, history made
You can say it’s made in Philadelphia, this amazing connection between a team and its fans that became a force of nature. Doubters tried to rain on their parade back in September and as recently as a month ago.
By the way, many fans joined in the negativity. But the times, they are a’changing.
The team ignored the noise. The doubters were drowned out by superb talent. After all, quarterback Jalen Hurts, poised and confident, was named MVP. Saquon Barkley, the greatest runner in Philadelphia football history—a talent squandered by the New York Giants—set records.
The fans offered so much support—and what they got back was uninhibited joy. Their energy, all voices melded into one, reverberated through neighborhoods, at stores, and especially in the concrete canyons and open air majesty of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the iconic steps of the Art Museum on Friday.
Eagles management—on and off the field—was a vivid example of excellence for companies across America, from the owner to the head coach, who almost brought me to tears as I watched him hug his family.
It all coalesced—a combination of individual talents, excellent teamwork, a feeling of one-ness. Our grandchildren may tell their grandchildren of the events of February 2025, which, in my opinion, could end up being the greatest shared sports experience in American history.
A new era
When I came to Philadelphia in 1966, I was struck by the unusual psyche of Eagles fans, Then, for long stretches at a time, the fans were loyal but well-known for a general hope-for-the-best-but-expect-the-worst attitude.
Just two weeks ago, Hall of Fame writer and broadcaster Ray Didinger told me that all of these things have changed. And it all started when the team managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat seven years ago, winning their first Super Bowl. To the cynics who never let up on the MVP quarterback and head coach, remember this: The Eagles have been in four Super Bowls in 21 years.
This was more than a sports story, but rather a story of life. The fans have settled on a new era: Expect to win. Friday night, I ran into a man and woman dressed in all shades of green. I asked them, “Are you coming from the game? The woman said, “Larry, we couldn’t make it. But I guarantee we will next year.”
That says it all. “Expect to win” is the new vision of the future.