SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Eagles may be in Brazil to kick off their 2024 season — the NFL’s first-ever game in South America — but it didn’t stop the Birds’ faithful from hitting the fan shop at the Linc on the morning of their Friday night game.
Fans wasted no time buying jerseys, hats, mugs and more.
Mark Stinsman said he has plenty of jerseys, so it was only going to be a shirt and hat this time around.
“And whatever the wife wants of course,” he said, Eagles football in hand.
Ahead of the game, Stinsman said his expectations are high for the team, especially the Birds’ new running back.
“We’re expecting big things from Saquon,” he said. “You know, spread the defense out, have him go up the middle. He should have a big year, at least 1000 yards of rushing.”
He also said he wasn’t thrilled about the game being in Brazil, even though “it’s not really different for us [as fans].”
“It does take a home game away from us,” said Stinsman. “It’s different for the players.”
Mike Bilotta from South Philly was at the shop on an errand for his daughter.
“My daughter’s excited. She’s growing, she’s almost seven, she needs a new jersey,” he said. “She demanded she have one tonight before the game.”
Many fans will be at Philly sports bars tonight watching the game, but others like Bilotta will be at home watching alongside some friends and family.
“I’m going to have some friends over and my daughter, she can stay up for the first two hours of the game, maybe the whole game. We’ll see what mom says,” he said.