Do Philadelphia Sports Fans Have More Class Than We All Thought?
I had my doubts.
During an argument about how former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb—now with the Washington Redskins—would be welcomed back to the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday afternoon for the Eagles/’Skins game, I argued that Philadelphia fans would cheer him rather than boo him. In the days leading up to the game, others—including the person I was arguing with—took an opposite stance. They thought McNabb would be roundly booed by fans in attendance.
Turns out, I won the argument. Just about all of the Eagles fans cheered as McNabb was introduced before the game. There were a few boos here and there—and there were certainly plenty of cheers later when McNabb made a couple of mistakes during the Redskins 17-12 win over their NFC East rival—but, all in all, Philly fans walked around from ‘the Linc’ (Lincoln Financial Field, for those keeping score at home) looking like a pretty classy bunch. As a New York Giants fan and a staunch supporter of anything related to beating up on Philly when it comes to sports, I have to admit…
I was impressed. All the stories you hear about Philly fans booing Santa Claus and getting themselves tossed into a jail underneath Veterans Stadium years ago? Well, they’re all true. And all the heat McNabb took from the Philly faithful during his time with the team? I haven’t forgotten that. Neither have Philly fans—a few reminded me of that very fact when McNabb overthrew a wide open (wiiiiiiide open!) tight end during the game yesterday.
But, for about 30 seconds on Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles fans showed the world that they’re not as bad as everyone says they are. I had my doubts. But as a sports fan—and as someone who still thinks Philly gave up a good thing when they traded McNabb this summer—I was glad to see that my doubts were wrong. For once, the City of Brotherly Love actually lived up to its name.
Stay classy, Philadelphia.
You’re right on one count and wrong on another. First, I’m also a NYG fan who echoed the same sentiments, and also wish destruction of all their hopes in each and every sport. I joked with my buddy who’s an Eagles fan that NY booed Barber while Philly cheered McNabb, suggesting that dogs and cats may in fact be living together.
So I agree that Philly fans showed a semblance of class, but I disagree that it’s really them showing class versus having to begrudgingly acknowledge McNabb’s class. Lost in everyone’s analysis of the trade is how classy McNabb has been. Despite ample reason to do so, he’s never trashed the town, the fans, or the organization. He’s kept his emotions in check and just focused on his next assignment. The hype around this game was entirely media generated and the Eagles had absolutely zero bulletin board material. I know they’ve snowballed Santa Claus, but booing McNabb would have been the equivalent of spitting on a soldier who just returned from Afghanistan after being transferred from Iraq, or tipping over a kid in a wheelchair who is holding the door for an old lady. Are you appreciating my melodrama yet? In effect, I am suggesting to you that McNabb is the second coming of Christ.