A Shot of Hennessy

Maybe Dawkins will make things interesting and throw something back.

In light of my fellow blogger’s post about inappropriate Phillies fans, I felt the need to comment on the Eagles season, which kicked off yesterday, and my sad existence as an Eagles fan here in University City.

I watched the game alone, as I usually do because I can’t convince any of my friends that the game is as important as lounging on College Green or getting a head start on that bulk pack they just paid $80 for at Wharton Reprographics.

I’ve lived in the suburbs of Philly all my life, and when the Eagles are playing, the world stops. You can’t go anywhere on game day without seeing jerseys and hearing the ubiquitous Eagles fight song.

It’s old news that Eagles fans have long been regarded as the most intense and raucous fans in the NFL. In case you are unfamiliar with our illustrious past, Eagles fans have thrown batteries at games, booed Donovan McNabb when he was selected in the 1999 draft, and one time, in ‘68, Eagles fans snowballed and booed Santa Claus (a controversial incident used widely to incriminate supposedly vicious Eagles fans).

The Santa incident actually happened at Franklin Field. Didn’t you know? Franklin Field was home to the Eagles from 1958-1970, before Veteran’s Stadium was built.

Penn students just don’t seem to care about the Eagles like the rest of Philadelphia. I thought because Penn is closer to The Linc than Bucks County, I wouldn’t have a problem finding Eagles fans to commiserate with. Or at least students willing to take some interest in local sports, even if they aren’t from Philly and have their own favorite teams.

If anything, Penn students only misunderstand Eagles fans, and Philly fans in general. Why denounce passion? Violence is a part of almost all sporting teams’ fans’ histories . For shame, Penn, for shame.

Yesterday, I ran into a Packers fan and College sophomore Adam Delelegn watching the game with friends. He acknowledges the lack of Eagles spirit on campus.

He pointed out an incident last year when he yelled “Eagles suck!” out his dorm window during a game and no one even looked up.

“I wouldn’t go downtown and say that, though,” said Delelegn. Wise choice.

I had to walk all the way from the high-rises to Van Pelt along Locust Walk before I saw someone in Eagles gear.

Engineering freshman Mike Harker was dutifully sporting his Brian Westbrook jersey. Hailing from Jersey, and used to the same type of game day attitude that I am, he was disappointed by the lack of goings-on for the game.

“Kids are just hanging around, acting like nothing’s happening,” said Harker.

I agree - where’s the tailgating? Where are the Eagles parties? No one wants to go to Chickie’s and Pete’s?

All one has to do to get in on the fun is collect friends, beer, hot wings and a TV. Who could be opposed to that?

Now entering its 75th season, the team and its fans have inspired movies, books and countless acts of ridiculousness. If you still can’t understand Eagles passion, or just don’t care, I guess I only have one thing left to say.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!

A Shot of Hennessy appears every Monday and Wednesday.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at 11:06 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.