(Image Credit Associated Press/Philadelphia Eagles)
We hold onto our cherished memories as long as we can. However, as time relentlessly marches on the once razor-sharp details of favored recollections inevitably begin to dull around the edges a bit…and may even start to fade.
I (currently) believe the year I became a full-fledged Philadelphia Eagles fan was 1967. I was nine. My family had access to season tickets – seats located on the very top row of venerable Franklin Field. When I was monitored and allowed to do so, I remember standing up on those worn, wooden bleachers, stretched my arms across the significantly sturdier brick wall surrounding the stadium…and re-focused my wide-eyed attention on the vast Philadelphia skyline.
During halftimes – but also when all hope for my Eagles winning those days had flown away – I recall the times I was on those bleachers looking out across the city’s horizon.
I unfortunately saw a great deal of the Philly skyline during second halves of Eagles games back then.
The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFL Championship back in 1960 but being two years’ old, I admittedly wasn’t cognizant of that accomplishment. But I fully comprehend the one this franchise achieved on February 4th, 2018 in Minneapolis, MN.
I remember the last time I wrote about the Eagles here was early December, 2016. My recollections of that particular occasion are almost as vivid as newer memories created this past Super Bowl Sunday. After a brutal, ugly 32-14 loss on a cold, dank, dark day in Cincinnati it was my considered opinion they had hit rock bottom yet again…a level my Eagles found themselves residing at for many years as I was growing up.
There certainly have been some very good, very solid Eagles teams along the way. There also have been a handful of years since 1960 where we fans could seriously expect the season in question might be the one where the franchise could achieve pro football supremacy once more.
But the 2017 season wasn’t one of them.
No way.
There simply aren’t enough WordPress servers to house all the data I could provide as to why the Eagles winning the Super Bowl is the most incredible, improbable, illogical, implausible and inconceivable professional sporting achievement the Philadelphia region has likely ever witnessed.
The positively gruesome way their 2016 season ended both on and off the field. All of the season-ending injuries to stars suffered this year…even before league MVP-candidate quarterback Carson Wentz’s year also prematurely ended in Week 13.
Most assuredly there was legitimate reason this year’s edition of the Philadelphia Eagles were calculated to be underdogs in each contest of their postseason.
They were.
Yet, here we are.
As the crush of confetti flew once Philadelphia’s sensational Super Bowl victory was finally secured I recalled – gratefully still with much clarity – those first, formative, frustrating fan years standing on those bleachers.
The Philadelphia Eagles.
Last Team Standing.
One hell of a game . Statistically, records were set, but when you take into account the so-called defensive capabilities of both teams ,there was nothing admirable about that statistic within the game.
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Al, fortunately the Eagles D kept chipping away at the Pats’ pocket and in the end got the turnover they needed to tip the scales in Philly’s direction.
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Great deal of complacency to go around from both teams. In the end however, the Eagles wanted it more and deserved the victory.
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Congratulations on a hard-fought and well-deserved win. I am a lifelong Steelers fan, so you know that’s hard to write. But, I was rooting for you guys because I can’t stand the Patriots. I live in CT, surrounded by Pats fans, and Sunday’s game was a gift to me.
I also really liked the comeback nature of your season. Entering as an underdog, but an underdog with strong skills and overwhelming spirit.
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Dan, was hoping it would be a Steelers-Eagles matchup but it was just not meant to be this time around. My neighbor across the street is a huge Steelers fan and it would have been great fun to have the two teams meet in the Super Bowl. Maybe next year…and yes, we do feel we delivered a wonderful post-Xmas gift to all those who didn’t want to see the Pats win yet again.
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You did! And we thank you!
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Yay, Bruce, so happy for you!
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Thanks Diane. First your Cubs…and now this! Still hard to believe…
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So great we got to see it, right? I was excited cause the Eagles kicker went to my high school!
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That’s wild! I saw the school made a charity t-shirt in his honor. We were soooo lucky he was available when we had to acquire a kicker.
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I was happy to see the Eagles do it this time.
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Pete, happiness is everywhere up here right now. Maybe this is the year your Nationals can break through?!
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Hey Bruce, Welcome back!!!! Congratulations on the Eagles World Championship. I’m very happy for you and for all Iggles fans. It must be a great feeling.
Tell us more about Franklin Field. I’ve seen it in photos and a couple NFL Films videos. It looked awesome!
Thanks, Reid
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Thanks Reid. May get around to a post somewhere down the road about Franklin Field. It continues to serve as the home locale for several U of Penn athletic squads as well as the site of the annual Penn Relays. Certainly when it was first built it was considered quite the sporting palace. Not the easiest place to get in and out of when packed. Our seats were along the thirty yard line or so. I remember that climb up to the top row…quite a hike. Yes, Iggles fans are feeling mighty fine these days!
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That’s great stuff Bruce. I can’t wait to read it should you write it. Also, I can’t wait to watch more NFL Films stuff featuring Franklin Field. I believe the 1960 NFL Championship was played there vs Green Bay, no? And I think I’ve seen footage of it from a highlight package featuring the C/LB Chuck Bednarik. Thanks!
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You are correct Reid. Day after Christmas, 1960 at Franklin Field. Definitely worth a watch!
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I remember the Eagles playing at Franklin Field … I also remember that 2016 spanking by the Bengals … and I also remember that you haven’t posted in a long time. Welcome back … and congratulations to the Eagles and their fans!
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Frank, the Bengals certainly did put it to us good that day. So hard to believe this season’s achievement when taking the tail end of 2016 into consideration. (Yes, it HAS been a while between posts hasn’t it…!)
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I figured you packed it up.
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Nah, just wandered away for awhile.
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I still haven’t sobered up completely…
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Hydration is very important…might be time for an IV.
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Good to see you back…
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Thanks…good to be back!
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Finally getting a chance to hop over to your site and leave a comment! I meant to earlier in the week, but I never got a chance to sit down at the computer to write anything.
I’m so happy to see you writing a post, Bruce! I miss your content a lot. We go back to 2007 (I believe?), from talking about David Beckham joining the LA Galaxy to all the sports discussion over the years, from writing hiatuses to bursts of posts.
Congratulations on your Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory! It definitely put a smile on my face to see them stop the Patsies. What a season it was! Wentz is something special… I hope Goff *will* become something special, too, as it would be pretty to cool to see our teams duke it out against one another in NFC title games for years to come.
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Troy, we sure do go back that far with blogging…Beckham included! I like your phrase “bursts of posts.” That pretty much describes my “style.” I suspect the Rams could be our main hurdle towards doing this again next season. They had a great, great year and bigger things are in store. I see your site continues to evolve and if I can convince myself to stay with blogging awhile again you know I’ll be there.
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Good to see you back, Bruce! I took some weeks off myself. Congrats on your Eagles! It was a good game. This is coming from a diehard Cowboys fan! 😁
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Good to see you too, Lisa! I do wander away from the blog from time to time. Thanks for the congrats. I think maybe a few Cowboys fans at least enjoyed seeing New England NOT win it again. But yeah, I know how hard it is for you guys to compliment us. 🙂
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I understand. I was going through writer’s block for awhile. Yeah, it’s hard. Ha ha!
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I was in Key West for the Super Bowl – it was quite fun to see the craziness in a place with plenty of actual Eagles fans.
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I saw on your site you were down in FL. It indeed is amusing to see Eagles fans in action outside of PA. They keep things “interesting” for sure.
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That is definitely true!
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I usually watch the “other” football, but I was so glad the Eagles won this game! It was most certainly time!
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I too enjoy the “other” football KC…obviously I see a bit less of it during the NFL season but the good news about following soccer is there seems to be a match every day somewhere in the world! And yes, it was time the Eagles broke through and won again.
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Crazy huh?
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Crazy indeed, Jay. People are nicer. The air is clearer. Hopefully this lasts until next season when we get a shot to repeat the feat.
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Congratulations, Bruce! I was rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles! Wow, what a game!! 🏈
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Thanks Robin. It was a nerve-wracking game here but the end result made all of that stress worthwhile!
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It was so close, this is true! 🎉🏈
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Just making my blog reading rounds and stopped by to say, “Hi, Bruce. Happy Sunday to you.” 😀
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Hi Robin…and a Happy Sunday to you as well. 🙂
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Glad you responded, sometimes I worry about people who don’t have new posts. At least I know You are out there having fun in life, right?! Take it easy, Bruce. 🌞
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Hope this month of June means a chance to relax, Bruce.
When I see comments or likes, I try to come by and wish them a good time and thank you! 🦋
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I was thrilled to find out the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Congrats Bruce!!!
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Thanks Steph!
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Congratulations, Bruce. Very happy for you. As you might suspect, this Bills fans was pulling for the Iggles.
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I suspected as much from you Rob – figured you’d be pulling in our direction. For what it’s worth I was rooting for your Bills (and Shady!) to do well all season long. Who knows…a little fine-tuning up there and the teams might meet up in next year’s Super Bowl.
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Took me a while, Bruce, but I had to get over here to congratulate you and your fellow Eagle fans. Not having a dog in the figt=t, i found the game to be surprisingly engaging — or maybe it’s my dislike of all things Patriot. Hmm …
Anyway, congrats! Time to take down that Rocky statue and replace it with one of a living hero, Nick Foles!!!
Too much? 🙂
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Thanks John. I don’t think it is premature at all to make that statue swap now. Rocky was fiction. Nick was the real deal. 🙂
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Congratulations, Bruce! As a Giants fan it’s hard to accept but I’m glad a loyal fan like you finally got to experience what it feels like ..:)
So do you think this title will mellow the crazies or just make them crazier..:)?
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Thanks George. I see no mellowing taking place. Lots of passion over what to do with the quarterbacks, how to make this team better in free agency, etc. I think between how long it took to win this – as well as the drought the other sports teams have had between titles – there likely won’t be any letdown in the crazy here. 🙂
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I didn’t think so. I imagine it’ll just be taken to a different level..:)
That’s okay..some things should remain be same.
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Sometimes totally illogical is the only logical truth. It was great! (and outdoor stadiums and wooden bleachers – real memories about when the game was most real
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First of all, congratulations, my friend.
It was a long time coming and I know what it meant to ya’.
That being said, I’ve met a few Eagles fans since the big day and I’ll be honest.
I’m surprised as all hell.
Philly fans are known for being the loudest, rudest, most profane, absolutely violent, instigating and boastful fan base of them all.
But as of yet, I have yet to meet a single Philly fan since the Bowl who hasn’t been totally gracious and humble in victory.
Who knew it was a cover all along?
Once again, congrats, brother. Good luck defending that crown. You’re gonna need it.
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Thanks Chris. I agree the fan base is for the most part quite humbled and in great awe of the whole thing. Trying to repeat will be difficult indeed. Depth is a concern because not everyone will/can be back. Then again, you want some infusion of new talent who is hungry for their own championship ring.
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I was raised in southern NJ, so of course an Eagles fan. But then I married a Bostonian, and have lived in NE long enough to be a huge Pats fan. The Super Bowl was exciting, and the Eagles definitely deserved to win that game.
However, I’m still rooting for the Patriots next year. 🙂
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Pam, I can certainly appreciate your NE allegiance because you live there (and married into fandom, no small consideration!). Maybe these two teams will make another appearance in the big game next season. Ya never know! 🙂
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Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Only next year, I won’t sit at a bar next to Eagles fans, who sang some kind of “EAGLES song” – all verses, loudly – every time they got a first down. 🙂
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Did it go something like…”Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory…!” Believe me, they couldn’t help themselves sober or not – we’re all raised on it from childhood.
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If the Vikings couldn’t be there, glad the Eagles won. 🙂
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That’s very generous of you, Belinda. I know many Vikings fans were torn. As much as they wanted someone – anyone – to defeat the Patriots, the loss to the Eagles two weeks removed was still quite fresh in their minds. I certainly would have been rooting for them if they beat the Eagles.
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It was hard for so many Vikings fans. That last playoff game was frustrating — if they had to lose, it would have been so much better if the game were balanced. But that wasn’t Philadelphia’s fault, and in the end, I wanted them to win.
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A belated Hurray for the Eagles, Bruce!! 🎉🌟🎉🍻
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Thanks, Robin!
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Congrats to the High Flying, well deserved Eagles Win! I watched the game, pulled for them and had a gratifying High Five from fellow fans. Here’s one to you, too, Bruce!!
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Thanks, Roxie! High fives all around!!
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Hope you had a Happy Easter, Bruce and family. 🌸🐣🐇
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We had a very Happy Easter, Robin. Hope you and yours did as well!
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We had a wonderful one and all is well in Ohio! 🦋~ Robin
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Thanks for sharing your childhood memory attending an Eagles game. Cool to see the old photograph It is amazing how much has changed throughout the years, the team, venue etc. Born & raised in S. Philly I guess you can say I was destined an Eagles fan at birth.. Patiently waiting for that ultimate win, finally!.. Have a good one
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Jennifer, we have been more than patient with these Eagles, haven’t we? I know what you mean about being born into the Philly sports fraternity. I’d now like to see the Flyers and 76ers have similar playoff results. Have a good one as well!
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Wouldn’t that be amazing if we had more wins! Lets see if the winning streak continues..
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congrats – so well described 🙂
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Thank you, da-AL. Much appreciated! 🙂
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It was time, Bruce—past time really. Very happy that the Eagles finally did it. :O)
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Thanks, Paul. Seemed like it took forever…kinda did! 🙂
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And now they’re no longer in the company of 13 other franchises which have never won the Super Bowl. Bet it feels like forever for all of them. 😀
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No doubt those cities that haven’t enjoyed a Super Bowl victory yet are longing for one, wondering if it will ever happen for them…especially after seeing the Eagles do it with a backup QB on the verge of retiring a couple years earlier. It is still hard to believe this group got it done. Every team has injuries, but Philly had several to key personnel besides Wentz. Then again, maybe the Eagles winning gives those cities significantly renewed hope that, “if they did it, we can too.”
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It’s was an amazing feat for sure. ‘O)
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Hi there, Bruce. Hope you are safe, sound and family are doing well! Smiles, Robin 🌞 Happy May! 🐦
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Hello, Robin. All is well at this end – trust that’s the same at yours. Happy May! 🙂
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Happy New Year GP! Thanks for popping the cork on 2019!
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I am a lifelong Redskins fan so I have had very little to cheer about for I don’t even remember how long.
Good news is that I have lived in LA long enough that I can root for the Saints without feeling like I am jumping ship.
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Condolences on those Redskins. Thought they had something going earlier in the year. Lots of injuries. Ironic you mentioned the Saints…they were my “other” team growing up because in large part I was a big Archie Manning fan. Thanks for stopping by, James!
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I do not even like sports but somehow you make it sound so much more interesting!🤩
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Much appreciated, Carol. And to be sure, your recipes have inspired me to try some new dishes! 🙂
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It is not just what you write about but how you write about it that grabs my attention.🙏🏻
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I hope all is well, my brother.
Hoping the Rams can get revenge from seventeen years ago and do what your Eagles accomplished last season!
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And I hope all is well with you and yours, Troy. Hoping your Rams can take down the Patriots…would be nice to see them go all the way…and take down NE at the same time.
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