COURTESY OF AP FOUND ON INTERNET: Thousands of Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate the team’s victory in the NFL Super Bowl 52 against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in downtown Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) ORG XMIT: PAJL115

 

”Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Walk humbly with your God .” [Micah 6:8]

 

That bible quote is one a dear friend signs her e-mail with.  I am not by nature a bible quoting kind of gal. Not that I don’t believe, it’s just not my thing.

This morning while drinking my coffee I watched a news conference on NBC10 in Philadelphia, that quote jumped into my head as I watched Super Bowl MVP Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles followed by Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson.  They just are so simple and genuine.  They seem both like people you would like to just hang out with.  No drama. No T.O. and McNabb-sized egos.

I say this as NOT a true football watching person.  I am not.  I understand the basics of the game (sort of.) Then I am done. I have never even been to an NFL game.  I did go to a few Army-Navy games in Philadelphia as a kid.  I remember how cold Veteran’s Stadium was, the sea of Army and Navy uniforms in the stands, especially the white hats of the midshipmen, and the echoing roar of the crowds.

But when it comes to Eagles teams past from coaches to players the media drama locally and nationally has been undeniable.  Even the current owner’s divorce cast an unpleasant pall at one time.

But that was then, and this is now. Lay the past to rest Philadelphia, and savor the moment.

But these Eagles.  Wow.  From the coaching staff to the players, good sportsmanship. These guys are cohesive and mutually supportive.  No dog fighting (literally) or other drama including major problems with a former coach’s family or another coach’s ego that literally shoved him out the door. It’s astounding, and very refreshing.  We could all learn from them, including the great Tweeter in Chief who paused briefly from spouting vitriol on Twitter to congratulate the Philadelphia Eagles.

But seriously, since the Philadelphia Eagles began this trajectory to an amazing Super Bowl win, the world has been a little nicer.  Less politics and current events nastiness and honest to goodness come together now moments. (oh and this from CBS sports was a great read:Super Bowl 2018: Who should you root for? Five reasons to make it the Eagles)

It’s been so nice.  Although I will admit the media hype leading up to the Super Bowl was a little much at times.

Ok so….time for….My Eagles at the Super Bowl memories:

Following the 1980 season or winter 1981 (Super Bowl XV) – I was a senior in high school.  I went with one of my best friends to I think the most boring Super Bowl party ever.  It was my very first Super Bowl party.  I had never been to a Super Bowl party, so I don’t know what I was expecting but it was one of those moments where you wonder what all the hype was about. I remember there was snow on the ground. I watched the entire game.

The Eagles lost.

Following the 2004 season or winter 2005 (Super Bowl XXXIX) – I gave it a go again.  Went to a small Super Bowl party at a dear friend’s house in Gladwyne. That was the best part of that experience, the party and the company (with one exception – and thankfully that blowhard football know it all exited our lives.) I watched the whole game.

The Eagles lost.

So being a superstitious not particularly football knowledgeable kind of gal last night I took precautions.  I peeked at the game, and watched the last four nail biting minutes, but for the most part, I stuck to Netflix. My husband watched the game downstairs. No Super Bowl parties.

The Eagles won.

Ha! See that? It worked.

You’re welcome, Philadelphia.  I just couldn’t have that on my conscience, if I watched the whole game and they lost.

But this team? This coaching staff? They are a different breed of cat from what Philadelphia has known.  They are less glamour kitty and more about being worker bees and getting the job done.  As a team on and off the field, they are a pleasure to watch.

So Philadelphia, yo’ enough already with crowd diving off of the Ritz Carlton canopy and trashing it.

So Philadelphia, yo’ enough already with flipping cars in front of the Bellevue.

So Philadelphia, yo’ enough already with the destruction – smashing giant plate glass windows at Macy’s in Center City, destroying traffic signals, wrecking giant concrete planters. (Check out Philly Voice if you do not believe me or see CNN or New York Post.)

When people do things like random acts of stupidity and destruction, that is the memory that endures, and well, if you love your hometown heroes and newly crowned Super Bowl champs, you should not show the Eagles disrespect by destroying stuff, should you? Come on now, Philadelphia, we are better than that.

In Chester County, it was thankfully fairly tame and you can check out West Chester post- Super Bowl on The Daily Local. And also check out this great editorial from The Mercury News.

This Eagles team is the stuff legends are made of.  They earned it through hard work. So when the parade happens, honor them and respect their work ethic by not trashing the city. These are exactly the guys little kids (and their parents) can look up to and learn good sportsmanship from.

Lay the past to rest, Philadelphia, and savor the moment.

 

As per NBC10 Philadelphia the Eagles will be home in Philadelphia later today, and a parade possibly on Thursday.

Philadelphia, it is such a sad and ugly world out there some days.  Let’s celebrate as an area the right way.  Let us learn the lessons of good sportsmanship and teamwork from this team and their coach.  Being nice costs nothing. I like this team because they make a non-football person like me understand the love of the game.

Thanks for stopping by and I close with my favorite NFL Meme to date….