All the loss and pain that Philadelphia sports fans have put up with over the last seven years culminated in a second Super Bowl trophy on Feb. 9, something that Birds fans have been desperate to get another taste of since their first feasting in 2018.
The Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a dominant all-around victory, preventing Kansas City from hoisting their third straight Lombardi trophy. The Eagles’ defense dominated, racking up six sacks and three turnovers; one of which was taken back for a touchdown. The offense didn’t slow up either as Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts rushed for 72 yards and put up three touchdowns.
What far outweighs the game itself is the cultural significance a championship holds for the city and the fanbase. To understand the passion of the common Eagles fan, one must look at the emotions expressed after the Super Bowl. Tears, love, and pure joy all come out, having been suppressed for far too long. A feeling felt by non-Eagles fans. Some fans have never and may never get a chance to experience those emotions.
Due to post-Super Bowl celebrations, the city of Philadelphia, surrounding small businesses, and residents experienced an economic influx of around $150 million according to NC State University.
Before 2017, The Eagles hadn’t won an official championship in 57 years and hadn’t won a Super Bowl for the first 52 years of its existence.
Finally, when that day came, I saw full grown men break down into tears. Their nightmare had finally ended. The team they had devoted so much time and energy to had finally pulled through.
Rarely does lightning strike twice for the Philadelphia Eagles, but this time it did — only seven years later, the Eagles picked up a second Lombardi trophy. This left fans in utter excitement and shock. These feelings enticed fans in and around the city to go haywire, resulting in massive property damage and unfortunately putting lives in danger because a Philadelphia crowd is impossible to stop.
Once again, the city of Philadelphia’s first reflex was to tear down Broad Street, bringing down traffic lights, climbing street poles, jumping on vehicles, firing guns into the air, riding horses through the city, shooting fireworks, and many more dumb antics. All of which, by no means is acceptable, but shows the strange yet lovable passion these fans have for their sports teams.In well over 300 seasons of Philadelphia sports, the fans have only been gifted seven chances before February to properly celebrate a trophy being brought to the city.
Now they have their eighth.
