After seven years of almosts, Philadelphia lastly acquired the prospect to once more rejoice a nationwide championship on Friday with the Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl 59 victory parade.
It was the Birds’ second Tremendous Bowl title in seven years, and the staff’s third Tremendous look over that span, plus a powerhouse Phillies squad that has turn out to be a perennial World Collection contender, raises a query: Can Philly’s fanbase actually declare the title “underdogs”?
We requested a number of the million-plus who got here out for Friday’s celebrations what they thought.
“We’re the underdogs,” stated Stephanie Cohen, 31, from Philly. “No person will consider in us, however we all the time gonna consider in us.”
For 20-year-old Xavier Campbell, from Newark, Del., it isn’t about if the staff makes the postseason constantly. The underdog label carries over into the playoffs, when most individuals nonetheless don’t see Philly groups because the favorites.
“Everyone is aware of they’re gonna make it to the playoffs, however they assume [we’re] a first-round exit yearly,” Campbell stated. “And so they actually confirmed them with their domination towards the Chiefs. They actually put on the market how a lot they need to win.”
Followers from older generations — those that waited 52 years to win a primary Tremendous Bowl and suffered by way of the lengthy stretches of hard-to-watch groups — stated nowadays are differemt. Mark Werley, 54, of Greenwich Township, N.J., stated that the underdog label doesn’t match anymore.
However he nonetheless stated Philly groups ought to hold it.
“As you noticed within the Tremendous Bowl, everyone was speaking concerning the Chiefs, and we had been the underdogs,” Werley stated. “So I believe as a metropolis — with ‘Rocky’ — we thrive by that time period, underdog, and we prefer it. However the best way we’re going, I believe the underdog’s off the image now. We’re the premier sports activities staff.”
67-year-old Joe Ruffo, from Washington Township, N.J., agreed that the label can function otivation.
“With a purpose to be a winner, you need to need it,” he stated. “And as an underdog, you’re the fellows that need it. You need it extra. I believe that goes again to what [Jason] Kelce stated on the artwork museum in 2018, ‘A hungry canine runs quicker.’ ”
For one youthful fan, the current affluent years ARE the reality, and perhaps it’s time to embrace the brand new identification.
“I’m solely 24, so all I do know is profitable,” stated Andrew Wallace, who flew in from California to look at the parade with household and pals exterior the Linc. “We had a pair unhealthy seasons after I was rising up, however we’re blessed proper now. All we’re seeing is profitable.”
“It was completely different in 2017-2018, profitable Tremendous Bowl 52, just like the staff was, that was only a loopy yr. However now, we is perhaps rising up in a dynasty proper now,” Wallace stated. “Actually, everyone’s younger — [Jaylen] Hurts, Saquan [Barkley], the entire offense — everyone’s locked up … We’re taking a look at greatness proper now. The town is at an all-time excessive.”
Billy Penn’s Meir Rinde contributed to this reporting.