On Valentine’s Day, approximately a million fans surrounded the three-and-a-half-mile parade route in the City of Brotherly Love to show their love for the Philadelphia Eagles, the newly crowned Super Bowl Champions. The parade route started near Lincoln Financial Field and ended at the Philadelphia Art Museum, infamous for Rocky’s famous run up the steps. Just like Rocky taking down Ivan Drago, the Eagles were celebrating defeating the Goliath that is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles shocked the NFL world by blowing the Chiefs out 40-22 and crushing their dreams of a three-peat. Many Parkland teachers and students went to the parade, and one teacher had a special moment she will remember forever.
Philly sports fans are notoriously rowdy and occasionally obnoxious, which makes for a parade environment like no other. Omar Moawad (12) said, “The environment of the parade was definitely a little crazy, but also a lot of fun.” Videos and pictures of the celebratory antics of the fans like climbing polls, tossing beverages to the players and staff, and some hilarious signs (most of them mocking the Chiefs) went viral on social media.
Eagles fans are untied strongly by their love and passion for their team. A sense of unity was felt in the atmosphere of the parade. “Everyone had a big smile on their face and any shout of ‘go birds!’ was immediately and emphatically echoed back. There was a sense of camaraderie among this mob of strangers that was felt by everyone wearing green from the Stadium Complex to the Art Museum steps,” stated Mr. Lessel.
Being so close to the players and staff of the Eagles makes the fans feel connected to the organization. Most of the crowd is used to seeing the players and coaches on TV or from the noise bleeds in the stands. The parade showcases these players off the field and away from interviews. It is an opportunity for them to interact with fans after winning possibly the biggest game of their lives. Just seeing the players walk by or ride by on a bus becomes an unforgettable moment for the fans. Mr. Lessel said, “My favorite moment of the parade was when I saw Brandon Graham on one of the first buses to pass by. He was the first player I recognized and the crowd erupted into shouts of ‘BG!’ Seeing Graham, who I’ve watched play for the Eagles since I was in middle school, so close and in person was a reminder that these athletes are real people and that they’re not just names on a jersey or faces on a screen. That moment brought on an additional sense of appreciation that I felt as I watched the other buses filled with players, coaches, and their families slowly drive by.”
For Ms. Morgan, her favorite moment came after the parade and speeches. While the Eagles will get their Super Bowl rings, she received a ring of her own when her boyfriend proposed to her on the steps of the art museum. “Getting proposed to at the parade was perfect in every way! Although my boyfriend and I have been together for a while, it was still a total surprise! He did such an incredible job planning everything and it was perfectly us! We are both huge Philly sports fans, especially Eagles fans, and finding a way to do it on the art museum steps, on the day of the Super Bowl parade, which also happens to be Valentine’s Day was absolutely perfect,” exclaimed Ms. Morgan.
The parade was a great celebration for not only the city of Philadelphia but Eagles fans around the world. This exceptional team will never be forgotten and neither will the special moments at the parade. Many fans on TV being interviewed already had their eyes on next year’s parade. With high hopes and the Lambaribi trophy in hand, the birds will fly back on the road to victory.
