JALEN HURTS, Eagles quarterback holding Lombardi trophy following Superbowl 59 win. (Today)Ella Kittler| Writer
February 13, 2024
On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the sports world with an incredible 40-22 blowout victory over the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. The win sent the city of Philadelphia into a frenzy, as fans flooded the streets to celebrate another Lombardi Trophy. Known for their rowdy, passionate behavior, Eagles fans certainly made their presence felt.
The celebration was chaotic from the start. Fans stormed Broad Street, chanting “Fly Eagles Fly” and “E-A-G-L-E-S… EAGLES!” as they took over the city into the early morning hours. As expected, things quickly escalated. Street signs were torn down, windows shattered, and even the infamous light poles met their fate—they were literally ripped out of the streets! Fans climbed bus stops, set fires, and caused widespread damage to city property. Die-hard Chiefs fan and freshman at San Clemente High School, David Kittler, said, “Win or lose, Philly’s burning. Eagles fans are crazy.” It was like a scene straight out of an out-of-control mosh pit.
Despite the wild celebration, there was a serious concern lingering in the background. Just weeks earlier, a tragedy had unfolded after the Eagles’ AFC Championship win when Temple University student Tyler Sabathy tragically died after falling from a light pole. In an attempt to prevent further injuries, the city greased the poles to discourage climbing, but that clearly didn’t stop fans from continuing their reckless behavior. Even in New Orleans, where the Super Bowl was held, city officials took precautions by greasing light poles across the city in anticipation of the notorious Eagles fan celebration. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker had pleaded with fans to celebrate responsibly in hopes of avoiding another tragedy, but nearly 10,000 fans, many intoxicated, poured into the streets, and the celebration quickly turned to destruction.
Reports of assaults on police officers led to five arrests, underscoring the dangerous side of such intense fandom. Despite the chaos, the party was unstoppable. Streets were covered in confetti, trash, fireworks, and other debris, while viral videos shared on social media captured just how wild the celebration had become. Junior Sarah Sevilla remarked, “Even though it might have been unpredictable, it sounded like lots of fun.”
With a victory parade planned for Friday, the city has its hands full. Still, there’s no denying the pride that comes with the Eagles’ victory, and their fans have certainly made their mark as one of the most passionate and unpredictable fanbases out there. Go Birds!
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