PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Eagles have returned to Lincoln Financial Field for their home opener against the San Francisco 49ers. And with home games come Eagles fans, who were allowed to freely tailgate for the first time in almost two years.
Attending an Eagles game in person is all that Cary Beavers dreamed about during the pandemic, and he said being able to actually tailgate here in the Linc parking lot ahead of the game was a wish come true.
"I got a tattoo that includes the spot and my section," he said, showing off the parking lot number on his arm.
"I'm 53 years old. This is Christmas morning and Easter morning and my birthday, and my wedding anniversary all wrapped into one."
Looking out across the Eagles tailgaters in the parking lot, there were few signs that the world is still in a pandemic.
Mike Hinchliffe of Swedesboro, New Jersey was cooking out, drinking and celebrating among thousands of fellow fans.
"It’s exciting to be back in the stadium," he said. "It's been two years and I know everybody that's here with my tailgate is excited to go into the game."
In terms of COVID-19 safety protocols, the Eagles are mostly leaving the health decisions up to the fans. They are requiring masks indoors and are asking fans who feel ill not to attend, but Dina Mattei from Washington Township said it would take a lot to keep her from celebrating her birthday at the game.
"We'll be smart about it. We're all vaccinated so we're all comfortable about it," she said.
Beavers said he was concerned about COVID as well, but still optimistic.
"I'm vaccinated. I know, I'm not wearing a mask but I'm vaccinated," he shared. "I know that all these people I'm with are vaccinated and I'm just trying to live my life."
Phil Knasiak from Limerick explained there's an excitement in the parking lot.
"After being away for two years, you kind of get the sense that people are ripping and ready to go and want to be here, excited to be here," he said.
Proof of vaccination was not required to enter the 67,000-seat stadium. Eagles fan Carol Livingston said that was on her mind a little, "but we're pretty good about keeping our distance from people that we don't know."
As for inside the stadium, she said, "We brought masks, we brought sanitizer ... so we're kind of hoping for the best."
Dina Mattei of Washington Township, New Jersey said she was also vaccinated and so happy to be out.
"Cooking out, partying, music, it's happy times again," she said. When asked if she felt like the pandemic was over, she said, "It’s not. We all know that. But it feels good to be somewhat, you know, able to enjoy normal life again."
