This Friday, a sea of green and silver descended on Broad Street once again. The scene was similar to seven years ago, upwards of a million swarming the latest Philadelphia legends. But the passion oozing from every square foot of Philly’s most popular street still managed to shock me more and more by the hour, as more fans packed in to join in celebration.
For the five hours I sat anxiously awaiting the champs’ arrival, I encountered just about everything I would’ve dreamed of. A celebratory school bus blasted Meek Mill as people danced on top, a man in an electric wheelchair with a robotic eagle hat evaded police to race down the street, and of course, there was lots of the infamous pole climbing. It was a party that required no invitation; a group of all different people with one thing in common: their love for the Birds. On Sunday night, I wrote this ode to the 2024-25 Eagles, perhaps the greatest team in Philadelphia sports history.
But after reveling in the celebration Friday, its messages ring even more true. No fan base is more deserving of such an incredible team, a community strengthened by years of suffering now relishing success. Here’s what the 2024-25 Philadelphia Eagles mean to me, and to a million others. Go Birds. What do the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles mean to me? It’s a question I’ve thought about a lot. I mean, of course every fan of a team that’s ever won has that moment etched in their brain throughout history.
The confetti swirling through the sky, showering our heroes in excess. The screams of joy from neighbor Joe, who “never doubted this team, not a second.” The celebrations in the streets, in the neighborhoods, in the once-quiet windows of every home lighting up the night. It’s a holiday you may only celebrate once, a festivity that may never come again.
But every team has always also had an identity; a signature story that makes them the legends they are. The ‘17 Eagles were the underdogs, defeating the evil empire in stunning fashion. The ‘08 Phillies were about high hopes, finally breaking the legendary curse. And of course, “Fo Fo Fo.” Yet, the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles were different.
This season was not an emotional roller coaster, a week 4 loss without A.J and Devonta be forgotten. Nor was it the result of any kind of great suffering. The franchise has found its form, with seven playoff appearances in eight years. No, this season was a story of pure unabashed dominance. For five months these Eagles outmatched every opponent with unbearable physicality, controlling the trenches on every snap. For five months, these Eagles displayed inseparable connectivity, navigating one of the NFL’s most complex defensive schemes with a flock of rookies. For five months, these Eagles showed LEADERSHIP at the highest level, starting with a quarterback and a coach maligned for a lack of such.
These aren’t the Eagles we have come to expect. But they’re the Eagles we deserve. For 59 years fans
had waited for it to be easy, for a team fit to be mentioned with some of the game’s greatest. As fun as it is being an underdog, who doesn’t love being the top dog? And finally we have our champion; one that’ll live with the 2013 Seahawks and the 2019 Chiefs as among the best of the decade, if not all time. I’ll never forget Saquon plowing through the snow, or Zach Baun diving on the football to seal a trip to New Orleans, or COOOOP sprinting towards the end zone to put away the defending champs.
But most of all, I’ll never forget the looks on my parents’ faces at the end of the third quarter. My mom sat, scrolling twitter for her favorite beat writers’ reactions. My dad was slumped over, asleep on the couch with the game in hand. And y’know what: after 59 years, they’d earned it. Congrats to the world champion Philadelphia Eagles, here’s hoping for more like them.