Flash back five years – the streets of Philadelphia go wild Feb. 9, 2018, after the underdog Eagles overtake Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Fans line the streets, climbing poles and celebrating in classic Philly fashion.
This was the first Super Bowl win for the franchise.
After the victory, center Jason Kelce famously shared his take on the fanbase, “No one likes us. We don’t care.”
The Eagles look to recreate this historic win in tonight’s Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Philidelphia fanbase is known in the sports world to be intense, from frequently booing its own team to rioting in the streets. Fans even threw snowballs at Santa in 1968.
"We love our football team, you know?" said Tommy Francano, manager of the popular cheesesteak restaurant Pat's King of Steaks.
"It's Philadelphia you know, who else throws snowballs at Santa Claus?"
"Those big ones," the former quarterback said. "Those 'D' ones. I was spit at. Beer [thrown at me]. But hey, listen, whatever."
The City of Philadelphia greases poles before big games and warns surrounding businesses about potential damage from "celebrations." Fans flood the streets cheering, drinking and fighting.
“The experience of being an Eagles fan is so great," Salisbury University football player Brad Lomax said. "The fans all come together as one family to cheer on the Birds and give the opposing team a little piece of our mind."
The Eagles broke many records this season, including the most wins for the franchise in a regular season and the most players with double-digit sacks in one NFL season.
Tonight, the team will test the momentum it kept up this season. As NFC East champion with a 14-3 record, the team was a force in the league this year.
By HAILEY DEARES
Sports Editor
Featured image courtesy of Sports Illustrated.