Whether you are new to Philadelphia sports or not, the recent Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship victory is grounds for major excitement. If you are a longtime Philadelphia resident or sports fan like myself, you know exactly what’s next.
However, if you are new to Penn and being in Philadelphia, you might be a little bit confused. If you are looking for a guide to this current moment in the Eagles fandom, look no further: The Daily Pennsylvanian has got you!
The history
One thing that is true for Birds fans is that they know the team’s history. While no one is going to expect you to rattle off Eagles facts while watching the Super Bowl, there are certainly some things that might come up that you should be sure to know.
The first piece of Eagles history to know is that the 2018 Super Bowl win was huge, because it was not only a Super Bowl win, but also the team’s first ever Super Bowl win. The Eagles have appeared in four Super Bowls: 1981, 2005, 2018, and — most tragically — 2023. This record is a major contributor to Philadelphia’s label as the “underdog city,” or more rudely, “the city that chokes.” This is an important thing to be aware of because it explains why this Super Bowl means so much to Philadelphians. People from Philadelphia smile fondly on the amazing memories of the 2018 win and cringe in pain thinking about the horrible losses, especially the recent loss in 2023. The 2023 loss will play a major role in the passion around this game because that loss was to the Kansas City Chiefs, who is also this year’s Super Bowl opponent. An opportunity for a comeback in the city of underdogs brings a lot of pressure but also a lot of excitement.
The second piece of recent Eagles history to know is “The Philly Special.” This infamous play has a major role in taking the Eagles to success against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. At the end of the first half, the Eagles had the opportunity to kick a field goal, but instead made the bold move to run a trick play. The trick play led to a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles, and an iconic moment was born.
It is also good to understand the history around Michael Vick, Jason Kelce’s mummer outfit, and Jamie Pagliei (otherwise known as @thephillysportsguy).
Attire
While you might be tempted to buy the first piece of Eagles merch that you see, it’s crucial that you make sure to do so with care. While obviously merch is a must, you have to find the right merch for you. While you might be tempted to buy the first Saquon Barkley jersey you see, you have to ask yourself a few questions first.
Do you care about being outed as a new fan?
If not, then the Barkley jersey is a great pick! Not only will it look great, but this should serve you for a few years to come as he has a three-year contract and hopefully will re-sign (I mean, the Eagles would be stupid to let someone who brings so much energy to their organization walk). If you want to seem like a slightly more seasoned fan, you might be better served to find a Jason Kelce (recent retiree, Eagles legend) jersey, a Jalen Hurts jersey, or even an A.J. Brown (who joined the team in 2022) jersey. If you are a true Eagles fan and want to prove the longevity of your dedication, you would be best served to pull out your old Carson Wentz jersey, Nick Foles jersey, or — if you are me — your vintage Brian Dawkins jersey (my prized possession).
What color merch do you want?
When buying your merch you will have the choice between black, white, midnight green, or kelly green. While all options are viable, you’ll want your choice to match your outfit, so choose wisely!
Lastly when it comes to attire, make sure you have layers. While a T-shirt will serve you well at your Super Bowl party, it will not serve you well celebrating on Broad Street.
The fight song
The Eagles’ fight song, a Philadelphia hymn that children like me memorized from our cribs as our parents sung it to us as a lullaby, is something that all new fans should take the time to learn. Newer fans often jump to the final line of “E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles,” completely skipping the rest of the song. To be a true fan, make sure to be ready to sing the whole thing:
What you don’t want to do is mess it up … like Philadelphia Mayor and 2016 Fels Institute of Government graduate Cherelle Parker.
Places to be and how to celebrate
In deciding where to watch the Super Bowl, you have to decide what kind of fan you are. For example, I would not be well received at my dad’s Super Bowl party, because he likes to watch the game in a very serious and quiet setting, and I much prefer to watch in a loud, silly, and (I’ll admit) chatty setting. So if you are serious about your sports watching, a small watch party of dedicated fans might be the place for you. But if you prefer to be loud and talk to your friends while watching, a bigger party might be your vibe. If you truly want to experience the Philadelphia sports atmosphere and watch the loud and brash passion of Eagles fans play-out, watching somewhere in Center City or (if you are over 21) at a Philadelphia sports bar might be best.
No matter what you choose, upon a victory your first move should be to mobilize your friends to Broad Street. This infamous stretch of Philadelphia is the only place to correctly celebrate a sports win. The palpable passion that fans hold really shines through when Philadelphians take to the streets to party.
What should you expect?
First off, you should expect a major turnout. One thing about Philadelphia is that its residents show up in droves when it’s time to celebrate its successes. With that turnout, you should expect loud cheering as well as pole climbing, police car climbing, beer shotgunning, singing, and greeting of people with a simple “Go Birds!”
Overall, becoming a dedicated Philadelphia sports fan only really requires one thing of you: that you can match the passion of this city. You don’t necessarily have to know every piece of history, have every famous jersey, recite the fight song perfectly, or be at all of the right places, but you do have to bring the same gritty passion that lifelong fans pride themselves on having.
So get excited, this is going to be so much fun!
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