Whether you love them or hate them, Philadelphia sports teams breed some of the most passionate and knowledgeable sports fans in the world. Despite long draughts, elusive championships, and years of shouting, "there's always next year", there are no fans more loyal. Philly fans come from all walks of life. They embody an ideal; one of a hard-working, blue collar, never give up the fight mentality. If there is one thing about Philly that unites people, that brings them together more than anything else, it's our teams.
Welcome to Phanadelphia.
Welcome to Phanadelphia.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?
“South Jersey.”
AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
“Indian Trail, NC.”
GROWING UP IN SOUTH JERSEY, WHAT SPORTS TEAMS DID YOU ROOT FOR?
“Eagles, Phillies, Flyers. I don't follow basketball, but I assume if I did, it would be the Sixers.”
SO YOU BASICALLY SUPPORTED ALL OF THE PHILLY TEAMS?
“Yep, always!"
NOW THAT YOU LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA HAS THAT CHANGED?
“Nope, not at all.”
DO YOU EVER ROOT FOR ANY OF THE TEAMS WHERE YOU LIVE NOW?
“No. I actually work at a sports bar and we have to wear football jerseys on football days. I still wear my Eagles jersey. It would've been cool if the Panthers went further, but mostly for business. We just had a new girl start and now there are 3 of us in Eagles jerseys.”
WHAT WOUD YOU SAY YOUR FAVORITE SPORT IS, WHAT DO YOU FOLLOW THE MOST?
“Hmm, probably football. Baseball is a close second.”
SO WHEN YOU’RE AT WORK IN YOUR EAGLES JERSEY AND CUSTOMERS COME IN, DO THEY EVER GIVE YOU A HARD TIME ABOUT IT? TEASE YOU OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
“Oh yes! I had a woman ask me last week if I get any tips wearing that jersey. And I've been stiffed by a couple who told me they hated the Eagles as soon as I walked up to their table. They were not a young couple either. They were middle aged, seemingly mature people. I get comments and stuff like that a lot. But we draw all kinds of fans. We have 50 tv’s playing all the games. I've met quite a few Eagles fans there.”
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE PHILLY SPORTS FANS WHEREVER YOU GO! DO YOU FEEL AN IMMEDIATE BOND WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH ANOTHER EAGLES OR PHILLIES FAN DOWN THERE?
“Yes, I do! We always hit it off immediately like old friends! And they tip better (laughter).
PHILLY SEEMS TO HAVE A BAD REPUTATION AS FAR AS A LOT OF DIFFERENT STEREOTYPES. THE EAGLES' FANS IN PARTICULAR. HAVE YOU HEARD ANY OF THEM THERE? DO YOU GET AN IDEA OF HOW WE ARE PERCEIVED IN OTHER PLACES?
“Yes! I was wearing an Eagles jersey at Wal-Mart and one of the guys that worked there said, “Better watch out, she's an Eagles fan. She might be violent.” And someone else who was standing there said not to let me near the batteries, I might throw them at them.”
WOW. SO THOSE STORIES REALLY ARE KNOWN ALL OVER?
“Yes, they definitely are. I was a little surprised.”
CAN YOU EVER SEE YOURSELF ROOTING FOR ANOTHER TEAM?
“No, I'm Philly (south Jersey, same difference) born and bred. I'm a lifetime Philly fan. Although, I do root for anyone who is playing against Dallas. So there's that.”
DO YOU RUN INTO MANY DALLAS FANS THERE?
“A few. I also work with one. I actually had a large table right before Christmas, on a Monday night, so I had my jersey on. At the end the one guy told me he was a Dallas fan. Surprisingly not obnoxious and it was right after we were knocked out. He told me to keep my colors. He also wrote it on the receipt with a nice tip. Oh, and one of our dishwashers is a Cowboys fan. We just have a lot of fun trash talking.”
WELL THAT WAS NICE. I FIND THAT DESPITE THE RIVALRY STUFF, THERE IS GOOD AND BAD WITHIN ALL FAN BASES.
I GUESS THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT THERE WITH THE PANTHERS MAKING THE PLAYOFFS. WITH THE EAGLES NOT MAKING IT AND THE PANTHERS BEING OUT, WILL YOU STILL WATCH THE SUPER BOWL?
“Oh the last Panthers game was crazy in that place. But, yeah, of course I'll watch. Most likely I'll be working. But it's gonna be hard to stomach, two teams that have taunted our fans! I would much rather that Green Bay was in and wish they'd kick New England's butt! Oh well, it is what it is. And in the words of any true Philly fan, “we got this next year!”
I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR A WELL PLACES EAGLES CHANT! READY?
(AT THE SAME TIME) E-A-G-L-E-S... Eagles!!
“E-A-G-L-E-S...Eagles!” “Fly Eagles fly!”
“Oh yes! I had a woman ask me last week if I get any tips wearing that jersey. And I've been stiffed by a couple who told me they hated the Eagles as soon as I walked up to their table. They were not a young couple either. They were middle aged, seemingly mature people. I get comments and stuff like that a lot. But we draw all kinds of fans. We have 50 tv’s playing all the games. I've met quite a few Eagles fans there.”
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE PHILLY SPORTS FANS WHEREVER YOU GO! DO YOU FEEL AN IMMEDIATE BOND WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH ANOTHER EAGLES OR PHILLIES FAN DOWN THERE?
“Yes, I do! We always hit it off immediately like old friends! And they tip better (laughter).
PHILLY SEEMS TO HAVE A BAD REPUTATION AS FAR AS A LOT OF DIFFERENT STEREOTYPES. THE EAGLES' FANS IN PARTICULAR. HAVE YOU HEARD ANY OF THEM THERE? DO YOU GET AN IDEA OF HOW WE ARE PERCEIVED IN OTHER PLACES?
“Yes! I was wearing an Eagles jersey at Wal-Mart and one of the guys that worked there said, “Better watch out, she's an Eagles fan. She might be violent.” And someone else who was standing there said not to let me near the batteries, I might throw them at them.”
WOW. SO THOSE STORIES REALLY ARE KNOWN ALL OVER?
“Yes, they definitely are. I was a little surprised.”
CAN YOU EVER SEE YOURSELF ROOTING FOR ANOTHER TEAM?
“No, I'm Philly (south Jersey, same difference) born and bred. I'm a lifetime Philly fan. Although, I do root for anyone who is playing against Dallas. So there's that.”
DO YOU RUN INTO MANY DALLAS FANS THERE?
“A few. I also work with one. I actually had a large table right before Christmas, on a Monday night, so I had my jersey on. At the end the one guy told me he was a Dallas fan. Surprisingly not obnoxious and it was right after we were knocked out. He told me to keep my colors. He also wrote it on the receipt with a nice tip. Oh, and one of our dishwashers is a Cowboys fan. We just have a lot of fun trash talking.”
WELL THAT WAS NICE. I FIND THAT DESPITE THE RIVALRY STUFF, THERE IS GOOD AND BAD WITHIN ALL FAN BASES.
I GUESS THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT THERE WITH THE PANTHERS MAKING THE PLAYOFFS. WITH THE EAGLES NOT MAKING IT AND THE PANTHERS BEING OUT, WILL YOU STILL WATCH THE SUPER BOWL?
“Oh the last Panthers game was crazy in that place. But, yeah, of course I'll watch. Most likely I'll be working. But it's gonna be hard to stomach, two teams that have taunted our fans! I would much rather that Green Bay was in and wish they'd kick New England's butt! Oh well, it is what it is. And in the words of any true Philly fan, “we got this next year!”
I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR A WELL PLACES EAGLES CHANT! READY?
(AT THE SAME TIME) E-A-G-L-E-S... Eagles!!
“E-A-G-L-E-S...Eagles!” “Fly Eagles fly!”
Phanadelphia Quick Poll
Through the years there have been players who, whether through a few magic moments, consistently great play, or just being an all-around good person, have become fan faves. Who would you say holds the title of most beloved Philly Sports figure? If your answer is missing be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Through the years there have been players who, whether through a few magic moments, consistently great play, or just being an all-around good person, have become fan faves. Who would you say holds the title of most beloved Philly Sports figure? If your answer is missing be sure to let us know in the comments below.
