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Hit ‘em low! Hit ‘em high! And watch our Eagles fly! Fly, Eagles Fly! On the road to victory! E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will clash this Sunday in one of the most highly anticipated Super Bowls in recent memory. The stakes are high as this rematch comes after the Eagles’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
So, how are the Eagles fans — some of the most passionate sports fans in the country — anticipating this game? What do they really think of Chiefs fans? I traveled out to Philadelphia to get the answers to these questions about fan culture and more directly from Eagles football enthusiasts themselves. Heading down the streets, I discovered what it means to be an Eagles fan beyond the sea of green football jerseys in the City of Brotherly Love.
Name: Corey W.
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
What does being an Eagles fan mean to you?
I guess for me, it means being part of a larger collective. I feel like a lot of sports teams don’t have the same collective that the Eagles do. Being [a fan] of the Eagles, you really feel unified with everybody.
Which past Eagles player would you want to see play at the Super Bowl on Sunday?
I’d have to go with [former center] Jason Kelce. I mean, it sucks that he just retired, and we were already having this great year. And it really sucks seeing him lose in the last Super Bowl and knowing it was the end of his career.
If there’s one Eagles player you could have a beer with, who would it be and why?
Probably [former quarterback] Nick Foles. I think it would just be a cool time to have a beer with him and talk about what winning that first Super Bowl felt like.
Is there anything you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
I guess it’s in the same sense as when I used to hate the Patriots because they were so good. It’s harder not to hate the better team, but the team that keeps on winning. They’re cocky. It’s hard to like the cockiness of them.
What’s the first thing you’ll do if the Eagles win on Sunday?
I wanna say that I’d go to Broad Street, but it’s been a little crazy. [Laughs] But I’d probably go somewhere where a lot of people are gathering. Probably hit the streets somewhere. I don’t know if Broad Street, necessarily, but definitely wherever I can find all the other fans celebrating.
Name: Michelle K.
Age: 32
Occupation: Sales Associate
What does being an Eagles fan mean to you?
Being an Eagles fan, you gotta be from Philadelphia, but we welcome everybody to our crew. It means bleeding green. Just being down to like the City of Brotherly Love and the party vibes, and root for the underdogs each season.
Which past Eagles player would you want to see play at the Super Bowl?
I think they all did their duty to the game, you know? But Nick Foles was there at the last game. I think all past Eagles players provided their vibes. So many of them want to retire as an Eagle, so I think that speaks to it. I think this year’s team is really strong, especially with [running back] Saquon [Barkley] .
Is there one thing you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
I think they’re just cocky. What’s so great about Kansas City anyway? [Laughs]
What’s the first thing you’ll do if the Eagles win on Sunday?
Go to Center City. Go to South Philly. Flood the streets. Safely climb poles.
Name: Joan K.
Age: 36
Occupation: Marketer
Can you tell me what it means to be an Eagles fan?
It’s hard to summarize, but I grew up in the Philadelphia area. My parents were Eagles fans, and it’s just part of the city. Even walking around today, if you have Eagles gear on, every stranger is gonna say, “Go Birds!” I was just walking along Kelly Drive and someone started flapping their wings! I think it’s just like a shared sense of community and pride for our city.
If there’s one Eagles player you could have a beer with, who would it be and why?
Saquon Barkley. I’m a fellow Penn Stater, so I think that would be really fun to catch up. He’s brought so much talent and excitement to the team.
Is there one thing you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
They’re not the Eagles! [Laughs]
What’s the first thing you’ll do if the Eagles win?
Oh my gosh, so we’re celebrating at a local bar that’s near our place. I think we’ll probably all just scream and run outside and start cheering! And maybe head down to Broad Street. We’ll see! [Laughs]
Name: Curtis B.
Age: 45
Occupation: Director of Facilities
What does being an Eagles fan mean to you?
Just the vibes and everyone getting into the Birds. There’s nothing like it.
What’s one thing you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
[Laughs] That they like [quarterback] Patrick Mahomes. [Laughs]
If there’s one Eagles player you could have a beer with, who would it be and why?
Probably [quarterback] Jalen Hurts because he doesn’t talk a lot. [Laughs] You never get a lot out of him! He’s very reserved, so I’d like to see what he would be like with a beer in him, you know?
What’s the first thing you’ll do if the Eagles win on Sunday?
Probably run over and high-five my wife! [Laughs] And then have a drink. We have a bottle of wine from 2017 when we won the Super Bowl, and I said, “We aren’t gonna crack it again until they win.” So, when they win, that bottle’s getting opened. [Laughs]
Name: Blake L.
Age: 28
Occupation: Sales Associate
What does it mean for you to be an Eagles fan?
Being an Eagles fan means everything to me. It’s just the way we were raised at four, five, six years old. Our dad taking us to the games, and now we’re dads doing the same thing for young kids, you know? It’s the way it goes.
If there’s one Eagles player you could have a beer with, who would it be and why?
That’s a tough question, but I’m gonna have to go with [cornerback] Cooper DeJean. He just seems like such a young cool dude. Or one of the offensive linemen if you’re looking to have more than just one, you know what I mean? Those guys can definitely throw it back.
Is there one thing you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
We don’t really see ‘em too often. I guess the only thing you don’t like about ‘em is their success. It seems like they’re at least in the AFC Championship every year, if not the Super Bowl. And then winning the Super Bowl. They have a lot of the same passion as Philadelphia does in the middle of the country. It’s cold as hell there. All they really have is football there. I would say the biggest thing I don’t like about them is just you’re envious of their success.
What’s the first thing you’ll do if the Eagles win?
When the Eagles win, I’ll be watching with my dad, brother, and sister. I’ll give ‘em a hug. And then just hit the streets. Just following the crowd, following the energy, hugging my fam. But also as many random people as possible. It means so much to all of us and everyone understands exactly what everyone else is feeling. Do whatever the hell your energy is [telling] you [to do]. Whether that’s climbing a pole or a fence, heading to the local pub, or running back to the Rocky Steps. You just gotta let loose and celebrate the win because that doesn’t happen too often.
Name: Shawn B.
Age: 30
Occupation: Musician
What does it mean to be an Eagles fan?
Everything.
If there’s one Eagles player you could have a beer with, who would it be and why?
[Linebacker] Nakobe Dean. He and I are close friends. I cannot wait to show Nakobe these pictures because he’s injured right now. I’ll show you the pictures. He’s the middle linebacker for the Eagles. [Shows the pictures] That’s my boy.
How long have you known him for?
Since he was drafted. [Defensive tackle Jalen] Carter, Dean, and I, we’re all friends.
Is there one thing you don’t like about Chiefs fans?
They not like us! [Laughs]
What’s the first thing you’ll do when the Eagles win?
I would celebrate ridiculously. Facetime Nakobe. Tell him, “You weren’t playing tonight, but you make me proud.”