Spirit of the Birds

When it comes to being a Philadelphia Eagles fan, there is no age limit.

Last week, we asked South Philadelphia fans to display their true spirit, and less than 24 hours later, it came in all forms.

To the right is 5-year-old pug Fredo, sporting his white Donovan McNabb jersey, alongside 1-year-old housemate Noelle Minniti, of the 1600 block of Croatan Place, watching their first Eagles playoff game together. When the Eagles play on Sunday afternoons, even yorkies Phoebe and Mikey, (pictured above) of the 1900 block of Fitzgerald Street, make sure they find a spot to watch the games. Just like people, the dogs love their Eagles green.

Over the last week of recruiting photos, for which we thank you, South Philadelphia residents painted their faces green and black, decorated their cars and even created smaller replicas of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

After all, it’s that chase for the Vince Lombardi Trophy that drives the South Philadelphia Eagles fans to decorate their houses green and treat every Sunday afternoon and Monday night like a holiday. It’s been 22 years since Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Maurice Cheeks and the 76ers brought this city a coveted world championship. The Phillies, Flyers and Sixers have all made it to their respective championship series since, but they have all come up short.

Over the last four years, the Eagles have once again given Philadelphia fans hope that a Super Bowl title and a parade down South Broad Street are within reach. Of Philadelphia’s four professional sports franchises, the Eagles are the ones that people in the Delaware Valley get excited about come playoff time, whether they’re Eagles fans or not.

The spirit is contagious nationwide. Last November, I was in Walt Disney World and decided to stop in to the ESPN Zone to check the score of the game. Sure enough, the moment I walked in, the whole place erupted in an "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant celebrating an Eagles touchdown. In January, I was in the Los Angeles area during the NFC Championship Game, and everybody except the bartender was rooting for the Eagles.

It was good to finally laugh in the face of those doubters last season, including that Atlanta Falcons’ fan behind the bar.

The Eagles were finally heading to Jacksonville to challenge the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. South Philadelphia residents were making last-minute calls to their travel agents to get airfare, lodging and tickets to the big game. Local bars were filled to capacity with standing-room-only crowds.

Yes, the Eagles came up three points short, 24-21, against a very good Patriots team that has won three of the last four Super Bowls, sending South Philadelphians into a deep depression as though they had just broken up with their longtime boyfriend or girlfriend.

With the Eagles less than two weeks away from their 2005 opener, a nationally televised Monday Night Football affair against the Atlanta Falcons, there is a renewed spirit. Sure, the offseason has included its share of unexpected drama highlighted by Terrell Owens’s public workouts on his front lawn and unfortunate season-ending injuries to wide receiver Todd Pinkston and running back Correll Buckhalter. Defensive tackle Corey Simon is gone as well after declining to accept the Eagles franchise tag and contract offer, while Jerome McDougle is recovering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

But last Friday, the fans at Lincoln Financial Field, at homes within the community and at restaurants throughout the area, broke out in applause the moment quarterback Donovan McNabb hooked up with Owens on a 64-yard touchdown pass on the first offensive play of the game. Even dogs like Fredo were barking in excitement. The offense looked in synch as McNabb threw three touchdowns and passed for 256 yards in a 27-17 win over the Bengals. The Eagles’ starting defense limited Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer to 109 passing yards in the first half.

But the preseason results mean nothing, as this season is all about making it to Detroit for Super Bowl XL. This season, the road gets a little tougher as the Eagles are the ones wearing the bull’s-eye and teams like the Falcons are seeking revenge from last January’s loss in the NFC Championship Game.

Eagles spirit will be stronger than ever Sept. 12 as the Eagles will open the 2005 season with a win. The Eagles will finish the 2005 season with a 13-3 record and will once again be the team to beat in the NFC. On Feb. 5, 2006, South Philadelphia will be buzzing louder than ever when the Eagles finally win their first Super Bowl title.