The Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak in perfect fashion during a snowy December afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field with a 31–0 trouncing of the Las Vegas Raiders — the first Eagles shutout since 2018.
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t having the 2025 seasons that they expected. While the Eagles needed this weekend’s game to continue to challenge for the #2 or #1 seeds in the NFC Playoffs — the 2–12 Raiders are having a season to forget — as their organization makes an attempt to regain it’s former dominance of yesteryear.
It’s been 44 years since the Eagles and Raiders met in Super Bowl XV. The Raiders had already won the Super Bowl in 1977. For the Eagles — it was the first Super Bowl appearance and first Championship appearance since 1960. The previous two decades had been bleak — and it would be another twenty-five years until the Eagles would return to another one.
Back at Sunday’s action — the Eagles opened the scoring on the first drive of the game with a Dallas Goedert four-yard touchdown catch from Jalen Hurts. At the beginning of the second quarter — the Eagles had an opportunity for more points when Goedert dropped a touchdown pass in the endzone and Philly had to settle for three points. The Eagles added another score when Saquon Barkley plunged in from two-yards out to give the Eagles a 17–0 halftime lead.
Philly never looked back.
After a Zach Baun interception in the third quarter — Hurts found Goedert again for another four-yard pass. Then in the 4th quarter Hurts connected with AJ Brown to go up 31–0. The offense did get the football back on a long drive at the end of the game but could not convert a 4th and Goal from the 1.
The defense settled down after some early penalties to hold the Raiders and Kenny Pickett to just 75 yards of total offense. Brandon Graham had two sacks for the Eagles.
Braelon Allen Is Now In Select Company With a Few Other NFL Players. One of Them Was An Eagle.
Last week — Fond Du Lac’s 20-year old Braelon Allen became the youngest player in NFL history to score a touchdown from scrimmage in an NFL game in 94 years, and to do both in an NFL game — ever. He is now in the NFL record books with ageless former Green Bay Packers and New York Giants quarterback Arnie Herber — who set his record in 1930.
As with many historical NFL connections, this one also has an Eagles connection.
Many from the Great generation remember former Giants Coach Allie Sherman. Ever fewer may remember Sherman as an Eagles player. Former Eagles Head Coach Earl “Greasy” Neale gave Sherman a spot on the Eagles roster in 1943 right out of Brooklyn College. In his rookie season, Sherman was both an Eagle and a Steeler when the two teams combined for one season in 1943 due to a player shortage because of World War II.
Right after the War, as the Eagles began to get better and to build momentum in the winning direction. Playing defensive back and also quarterback for the Eagles — Sherman competed with Tommy Thompson for the starting quarterback role and helped to guide the Eagles to an 8–4 record and a 21–0 win in the playoffs against the Steelers. In the 1947 NFL Championship Game they fell short by one possession at the very end despite a furious comeback in St. Louis. Allie Sherman was also just twenty years old when he scored his first touchdown from scrimmage.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
With Thompson as the starting quarterback, Sherman left the Eagles for retirement and a Head Coaching position in 1948 and would become the New York Giants Head Coach in 1961. He would also go on to be a pioneer of TV Broadcasting for NFL Games and even ESPN. If Sherman had stayed with the Eagles for two more seasons — he would have won two championships.
Back in Tennessee — where the Titans had the misfortune of being the home team as Braelon Allen exploited the defense both by air and by ground and wrote himself into the record books — the quarterback who gave him the football for both scores was none other than 40-year old Aaron Rodgers.
The Eagles First Home Game in South America Reflects the Future of Philadelphia.
One hundred years ago in July of 1924 — Frankford Yellow Jackets Head Coach Punk Berryman began preparing his team for the season ahead. Unlike the nearly twenty-five years before, Berryman wasn’t preparing a Yellow Jackets team for another club season. This Yellow Jackets team had been granted an NFL Franchise.
The incredible route that Frankford took to arrive as one of the then 18 NFL franchises was amazing. Born out of the Frankford Athletic Association in 1899, the Yellow Jackets attained a reputation as one of the best club teams in the nation. With Philadelphia already gaining a growing obsession with football by the 1920s with the University of Penn gathering fans at Franklin Field — Frankford absorbed many of the players from The Union Quakers who were the Philadelphia Championship Team in 1921. In 1922, the Frankford Yellow Jackets would win the same Philadelphia City Championship.
Photo Courtesy of Wikapedia.org
If you didn’t know Frankford Football before, you soon would. NFL franchises who played the club team from Frankford were little match for the Yellow Jackets on the gridiron. The 1924 Team finished in third place with a 11–2–1 record and including play outside the NFL for a total record of 17–3–1. Two years later in the magical season of 1926, they would go 14–0–2 — a total number of regular season wins that wouldn’t be reached again until the 1984 San Francisco 49ers.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
A century later the Philadelphia Eagles — one of America’s most popular franchises prepare to open the 2024 season as the home team in a matchup at Corenthians Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil against the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles and Packers rivalry runs deep, including a 17–13 NFL Championship win at Franklin Field when “Concrete” Chuck Bednarik tackled Packers running back Jim Taylor at the 3-yard line in 1960. And in overtime of the 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff Game when Eagles legend Brian Dawkins intercepted Brett Favre to help to send the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.
Already with a growing international fanbase, the Eagles are joining other NFL teams as participation in the NFL Global Expansion Program. During their previous Super Bowl appearance in 2023, the Eagles also hosted a watch party in Accra, Ghana for around 350 people.
The historic Philadelphia Eagles are now the official home team of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It’s appropriate, since Philadelphia has seen a population growth of nearly 27% in the last decade of residents of Latin American descent in our city. In just two years, Philadelphia’s latino population has doubled — going from 130,000 to 252,400 between 2000 and 2022.
After record-setting success in the roaring 20s, it was the American Great Depression that ended the Yellow Jackets. Both Philadelphia organizations and the local media alike tried to save the team. Frankford Stadium was first impacted by fire in 1929. The team played its home games at Municipal Stadium and the Baker Bowl. In 1931, another fire damaged Frankford Stadium permanently. It would be demolished in July of that year.
On a late October day in 1931 — the Yellow Jackets walked onto Wrigley field in Chicago for what would be their last game. The 1–6–1 Yellow Jackets had played the entire 1931 season on the road. That day, the Yellow Jackets defeated the Chicago Bears. After a Bears rushing touchdown from Bronko Nagurski, the Yellow Jackets held on just enough to celebrate a final win for the floundering franchise. It would be the only win in Chicago for a Philadelphia football team for the next 68 years.
Ninety-two years later — with the international fame of the Eagles on the rise and Lincoln Financial Field in a frenzy as the Eagles were throttling the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scampered into the end zone for the team’s 39th rushing touchdown of the year. With the entire city locked in jubilant celebration from South Philadelphia to the former site of Frankford Stadium at the corner of Frankford Avenue and Devereaux Ave. hardly anyone noticed the rushing record that was just broken.
It was previously held by the 1924 Frankford Yellow Jackets.
That’s right, Philadelphia. Calm down, those aren’t Eagles flying the Jersey Shore boardwalk. And it’s not an NFC primetime rematch in the frigid winter conditions of Philadelphia between the Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons. This is a Jersey boardwalk showdown between falcons and seagulls once again down the shore during summer 2024.
Photo Courtesy of UnSplash.com.
Once again in 2024 — Ocean City, NJ has extended its contract with East Coast Falcons. Dating back to 2019, the group of 14 that includes one Eagle-owl, hawks, and falcons have protected against seagulls to provide a leisure experience to beachgoers and tourists alike enjoying the attractions along the nearly three miles of Ocean City’s gorgeous Boardwalk.
If you’ve vacationed in Ocean City, NJ beach or near the Boardwalk, then you’ve probably come into contact with the gulls that perch close to humans and love to feed on french fries and pizza — right from your unexpected waiting hands.
The use of falconry dates back to before 2000 BC. Stealing falcons was punishable by death during the reign of King Edward III. Falconry was documented as being used in America as far back as 1622.
And Philadelphia has a significant history with Falconry as well. Philly continued its tradition of sports firsts when the Peregrine Club of Philadelphia began in 1934. Seven years later, the club was suspended sue to WWII. In 2013, it was brought back to life by Dwight A. Lasure. Lasure was a Pennsylvanian as well.
The Eagles have compiled an all-time record of 21–15–1 against the Falcons, including a regular season record of 18–14–1 and a postseason advantage of 3–1. The Eagles would beat the Falcons in the 2005 NFC Championship Game to advance to their first Super Bowl since 1981. They would also beat the Falcons in 2018 in the NFC Divisional Round before winning Super Bowl LII.
So feel free to indulge in that boardwalk Subway sandwich, Chickie & Pete’s Crabfries, or Manco & Manco Boardwalk Pizza this summer, and rest assured that you’ll be able to do so without sharing and of it with a persistent NJ seagull.
Although you may have to give food — if not thanks — to a Falcon. Limit your thanks to vacation, though. The Eagles play the Falcons on September 16th.
Philly’s Sports Teams Are Spending for Success. Is It the Right Thing To Do In A 2024 Economy?
Ladies and gentleman, Philadelphia is on a shopping spree. It’s like an all-expense paid weekend at the mall with the family. Spend any amount that you’d like — how about over a billion dollars for a championship?
Last month, I wrote a piece that mentioned the economic and financial appropriateness of holding an Eagles home game in Brazil among other factors. Is an investment of over a billion dollars by Philly’s big four sports franchise worth it to march down Broad Street?
This week, the NBA announced an agreement for 11 years on its new media deals worth $76 billion. The contract will most likely come with a 10% cap increase for NBA teams like the Sixers.
Astronomical sports contracts are not unique to Philadelphia. The continued and steady growth of sports’ figures contracts in the last 30+ years while simultaneous ballooning of our National Debt which is now over $34 Trillion is both as unsustainable as it is troubling.
Photo Courtesy of Sixers Nation on X.
The Eagles positioned themselves in March to enter the Draft already occupying $219.4 million of Cap space. The Eagles solidified their wide receiver duo in April with A.J. Brown signing until 2028 with a three-year $96 million deal and his teammate Devonta Smith signing a three-year, $75 million deal. The Eagles once again made a splash in Two contract extensions for both Devonta Smith (3-year, $75 Million) and AJ Brown (3-year, $96 Million) and the signing of All-Pro and former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley (3-year $37.75 Million) having already placed the Eagles as an 18–1 favorites to win a Lombardi in 2025.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
The Eagles signed former Jets linebacker Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 Million deal the un-drafted free agent out of Memphis in 2020 as well as former Wisconsin star Zach Baun from the Saints, former 49ers linebacker Oren Burks, and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson also returned to the team. Offensive lineman Matt Hennessy was also signed by Philly.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
The Eagles also earned one of the best grades in the NFL at the Draft by adding key talent, with all draft picks now signed as of June 6th. In the first round they drafted Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. In the second round, they added another defensive back Cooper DeJean. In the third round they drafted Jalyx Hunt an outside linebacker from Houston Christian. In the fourth round, they drafted Will Shipley from Clemson. In the fifth round, the Eagles added wide receiver Ainais Smith from Texas A&M, Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. from Clemson, and Guard Trevor Keegan from Michigan. Philadelphia’s draft selections ended in the sixth round with wide receiver Johnny Wilson from Florida State, Guard/Center Dylan McMahon from NC State.
The Flyers joined the free agent scene by signing Matvei Michkov to a multi-year deal with a yearly affect on the cap of around $950,000.00. They also took the step of re-signing Bobby Brink to a two-year, $3 Million Contract. With the thirteenth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, they selected Jett Luchanko, who is a center.
And who can forget our NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies who are carrying a 141-year old franchise-record for payroll in 2024 of $262 Million, which includes a cap hit of part of the 13-year, $330 million contract of Bryce Harper? In March, Zach Wheeler and the Phillies announced an MLB-record contract extension, a three year, $126 million deal. The deal won’t kick in until the start of 2025 — but when it does — Wheeler’s $42 million salary will represent the largest extension in MLB history by annual average.
Last month, it was the Sixers who invested nearly half a billion dollars at the chance to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with their quest for an NBA Title in 2024–2025 by adding veteran forward Paul George to a four-year, $212 Million max contract. The team also gave Tyrese Maxey a five-year, $204 Million extension, along with Kelly Oubre Jr. (2 years, $16 Million,) Andre Drummond (2 years, $10 Million,) and Eric Gordon (1 year, $3.3 Million.) The Sixers also drafted Adem Bona out of UCLA and Jared McClain out of Duke.
Philadelphia currently ranks 33rd in the US for economic growth and has a has an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Given these current economic conditions, should Philly’s big-four sports franchises be investing in record contracts to win it all?
Philadelphia’s Zoo Was a First in America. It’s Community Service Continues to This Day.
If you are looking for the perfect pairing of commitment to the community in Philadelphia, you’ve picked a great combination with the Eagles and the Philadelphia Zoo. The Eagles dedication to the community continues this August 8th which is yet another Eagles Fly Night at the Zoo. The private, virtual event, is reserved for the families of children undergoing treatment for cancer. The virtual event, which features insight from the Zoo Keepers and information about the Philadelphia Zoo. Jr. 76ers and Kids Club events have also been held at the Zoo.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
Our Philadelphia Zoo was the first of its kind in America. Originally chartered in 1859, the Zoo project was unable to open until 1874 due to the American Civil War. Our Philadelphia Zoo wasn’t just first in America. It houses the first onsite animal care center world-wide and was again first in America to offer a Children’s Zoo as well as orangutan and chimpanzee births in 1928.
The Philadelphia Zoo is displayed six giant wooden Trolls designed by Thomas Dalbo from February 1st until April 1, 2024. The exhibit, called Save the Humans can be viewed for the price of admission to the Philadelphia Zoo. The giant sculptures are made 100% from recycled wood.
Thomas Dambo hails from Odense, Denmark where he was born in 1979. Dambo’s motivation is the creation of art that combines nature, exploration, and adventure in the outdoors and to show the world that recycled goods can be transformed into gorgeous artwork.
The Zoo is complete with Galapagos Tortoises — one of which is Molly — who is 98-years old. She’s seen a lot in her life, including visits from my parents and grandparents, and great grandparents as well.
Just Like July of 1776, Philadelphia Is Positioning Itself To Make History Once Again.
Two Hundred and Fourty-Eight years ago — during a sweltering summer July in Philadelphia — our nation was born thanks to the brave leadership of 56 founding fathers. For seventeen days in June — Thomas Jefferson — worked each day out of a house that he had taken up residence in at 700 Market Street and poured for seventeen days on the first draft of what would become the Declaration of Independence. Occasionally he wandered into Philadelphia’s taverns, sipped ale and touched pen to hallowed parchment and inked a rough draft of those words which have become lore in America.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.
When the final version was ratified at Independence Hall (Pennsylvania State House,) it was read aloud in multiple US cities including Philadelphia. By the time that the official document was signed on August 2nd — word of America’s independence had spread across the colonies. Just like the bold vision of Thomas Jefferson and of our founding fathers — our sports teams are signing documents crucial documents as well tight here in Philly.
Photo Courtesy of Sixers Nation on X.
This week, it was the Sixers who invested nearly half a billion dollars at the chance to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with their quest for an NBA Title in 2024–2025 by adding veteran forward Paul George to a four-year, $212 Million max contract. The team also gave Tyrese Maxey a five-year, $204 Million extension, along with Kelly Oubre Jr. (2 years, $16 Million,) Andre Drummond (2 years, $10 Million,) and Eric Gordon (1 year, $3.3 Million.) The Sixers also drafted Adem Bona out of UCLA and Jared McClain out of Duke.
Across the Philadelphia Sports Complex Parking Lot, Lincoln Financial Field is the site of the enthusiasm of another Eagles season with Training Camp opening in three weeks. The Eagles have had a busy off-season with free agent signings as well as another stellar draft.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Two contract extensions for both Devonta Smith (3-year, $75 Million) and AJ Brown (3-year, $96 Million) and the signing of All-Pro and former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley (3-year $37.75 Million) having already placed the Eagles as an 18–1 favorites to win a Lombardi in 2025.
The Eagles signed former Jets linebacker Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 Million deal the undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2020 as well as former Wisconsin star Zach Baun from the Saints, former 49ers linebacker Oren Burks, and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson also returned to the team. Offensive lineman Matt Hennessy was also signed by Philly.
The Eagles also earned one of the best grades in the NFL at the Draft by adding key talent, with all draft picks now signed as of June 6th. In the first round they drafted Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. In the second round, they added another defensive back Cooper DeJean. In the third round they drafted Jalyx Hunt an outside linebacker from Houston Christian. In the fourth round, they drafted Will Shipley from Clemson. In the fifth round, the Eagles added wide receiver Ainais Smith from Texas A&M, Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. from Clemson, and Guard Trevor Keegan from Michigan. Philadelphia’s draft selections ended in the sixth round with wide receiver Johnny Wilson from Florida State, Guard/Center Dylan McMahon from NC State.
The Flyers have made waves by signing 19-year old Matvei Michkov to a multi-year deal with an annual cap hit of about $950,000.00. They also re-signed Bobby Brink to a two-year, $3 Million Contract. With the thirteenth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they selected center Jett Luchanko.
And who can forget our NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies who are carrying a 141-year old franchise-record for payroll in 2024 of $262 Million, which includes a cap hit of part of the 13-year, $330 million contract of Bryce Harper? In March, Zach Wheeler and the Phillies announced an MLB-record contract extension, a three year, $126 million deal. The deal won’t kick in until the start of 2025 — but when it does — Wheeler’s $42 million salary will represent the largest extension in MLB history by annual average.
Jubilant citizens cheered the public reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with the decision of brave Americans inspired by Philadelphians like Benjamin Franklin to cast off the yoke of British control and tyranny imposed by King George III’s government. The cheers emanating from the South Philadelphia Sports Complex by the thousands represents the potential and expectations of the City’s four major sports franchises in 2024 and beyond.
It’s an excitement in Philadelphia as old as 1776.
For the Eagles Top Offense, Eight Seconds Still Fester.
NFL Athletes need to have short memories. Make a great play and enjoy it. Make a key mistake, learn from it and move on while hoping that you still have a career as a professional athlete afterward. Then prepare for the next play.
Just ask James Bradbury, the Eagles cornerback whose late-game game Super Bowl penalty allowed Kansas City to bleed the clock and gave Philadelphia the ball back with only eight seconds left and no timeouts remaining.
The Eagles young offense was dazzling in 2022–2023. No team had more yards in the NFC in 2022, and it seemed at times that their explosive offense was able to break-out on every possession.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
The Eagles offense of 2024 — now complete with the addition of All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley — does not dwell on a late season floundering that ended with a late evening listless performance in Tampa Bay in the Wildcard Round of the NFC Playoffs.
But rather, is haunted by one last possession in the Super Bowl that given their potency and perhaps an additional ninety seconds could have given Philadelphia its second World Championship in five years.
The coach who won the Super Bowl that day knew this position before as he peered across the sideline through a sea of red and white confetti that was all too close to instead perhaps having been midnight green in the last moments of Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Twenty years ago, the Eagles had battled the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville all game and were down by a field goal 24–21. Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens, and Brian Westbrook got the football back with 46 seconds and no timeouts. Much like 2023, the Eagles would not score again that day and lost to New England.
Andy Reid — who had brought the Eagles back to prominence with his first Head Coaching job —would never return to the Super Bowl with the Eagles. Aside from a magical playoff ride in 2009 that ended in Arizona with a monstrous performance by Larry Fitzgerald, The Eagles would never return to Championship form under Reid and would shortly spiral into a needed turnover of the Philadelphia nucleus including parting ways with Donovan McNabb, Brian Dawkins, and Jeremiah Trotter.
The anticipation of yet another Eagles season in 2024 is almost as high as the July sun with Training Camp just on the horizon. Can this Eagles season put away the shadows of the past season of offensive ineptitude and the haunting memories of just eight seconds to avoid the fate of Andy Reid’s Eagles of the late 2000s?
The $4.9 Billion Eagles Going International Seems Right. But Is It Right for Brazil?
The Eagles are coming to a City near you (well, at least they are if you live in Sao Paulo, Brazil.) Relax, if you live in Philadelphia then you won’t have to travel far for the rest of the 2024–2025 home games.
Jeffrey Lurie’s nearly $4.9 Billion franchise is joining other NFL franchises to go global.
As the NFL contemplates expansion into one of these foreign markets and with more teams playing on foreign soil, several other teams have secured international rights overseas themselves. The Dolphins and Bears have rights secured in Spain. The Dolphins also have rights secured in Brazil in addition to the Eagles. The Steelers have recently secured the same type of rights in Ireland.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Like any great company going international from the confines of only doing business in America since 1920, it’s an exciting time. But does excitement and opportunity make this right for Brazil and its people?
Undoubtedly, Brazil will reap the benefits of a tourism boost from the presence of the Eagles, Packers, and hordes of their fans traveling to see the game. But the NFL will profit from the broadcast, sale of official merchandise, and revenue from the game.
According to Ticketmaster, the average ticket left for the game is $339.30. It’s an expensive item for a county whose average monthly income is a $750.00. Many of Brazil’s residents cannot afford to attend the game at Corinthians Arena.
And how about an effect on the fans back home?
The Eagles and Packers have a storied history. In fact, the 1960 NFL Championship Game the Day after Christmas was blacked out on TV around the Delaware Valley. Many of my relatives listened to it on radio. Which is appropriate considering in an attempt not to compete with broadcasted high school games on Friday night, the 2024 Eagles/Packers matchup will only be available to be seen with a subscription streaming on NBC’s Peacock.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Sure — one could argue that if the world stage craves NFL football — well then expansion isn’t just the right move for the NFL but rather a necessary one. Or that both Eagles and Packers should be afforded every opportunity to take advantage of a worldly presence that other NFL teams are benefitting from.
But although Sao Paulo is one of largest cities in South America, for a powerhouse country like the US whose revenue and budget is 3x the size of Brazil — is bringing NFL Football there the right move?
Either way, that is exactly what is happening in September 2024.
Why A Season that Ended in Collapse Doesn’t Diminish the Strength of the Eagles in 2024.
On Tuesday, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie took to the podium for his annual meeting with the Press about the Eagles to talk about season and where he sees the team going.
For years during the mid-2000s, I would be in attendance at Eagles Training Camp at Lehigh University. Each year in the August, there was Jeffrey Lurie, watching intently in the Pennsylvania sun and eyes covered by sunglasses as he proudly observed his franchise.
His Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s Been 30 years since fourty-two year old Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Philadelphia Eagles for $185 Million in 1994. While it’s true that Lurie is not the most successful owner in Eagles history — his franchise is not only a beloved Philadelphia tradition since 1933 — but also the strongest that the Eagles have ever been.
Both nationally and internationally.
This year is another anniversary for Eagles leadership. Fourty years ago in December of 2024 — Eagles owner Leonard Tose’ plan to move the Eagles to Arizona after not getting the immediate support that he requested from the City of Philadelphia to build Skyboxes in Veteran’s Stadium — was exposed by the Philadelphia media.
Shortly after in April of 1985, Norman Braman and Ed Leibowitz bought the Eagles.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
This month, the news broke that the Eagles will play Eagles to Sao Palo Brazil in the first ever NFL game in over 50 years and the first ever in South America on Friday evening, September 6th.
Lurie’s continued growth of Bert Bell’s 1933 visionary team for all Philadelphia — not just for Frankford — hasn’t seen the success of the “Happy Hundred,” a group of investors who owned the Eagles during the Championship years of 1949 and 1960 before the NFL/AFL merger.
But longest-tenured Eagles owner has won a modern-day Super Bowl in 2018, which still the crowning victory for any NFL team between the NFC and AFC Conferences.
While behind the scenes, he has accomplished much more.
When Lurie borrowed $185 Million to buy the Eagles in 1994, after contemplating owning other sports’ franchises like the New England Patriots, the Eagles were far from championship caliber. The last World Championship had been in 1960, last Super Bowl appearance in 1981, and the exileration of Buddy Ryan’s Gang Green Defense had not brought the Eagles any closer to a title.
Since 1994, Lurie has delivered on a consistent contender in Philadelphia as he promised. When the Eagles were farthest from that promise, he has always took decisive action. Rich Kotite was out in 1994, Ray Rhodes in 1998, and a rebellious Chip Kelly in 2015. He even parted ways with Super Bowl winning coach Doug Pederson in 2021.
What Lurie has delivered is a consistent, quality, on-field product. Under Eagles Coach Andy Reid (coached in the Super Bowl) the Eagles were the class of the NFC in the early 2000s. They appeared in five NFC Championship Games, one Super Bowl, and six NFC East Titles between 2000–2010.
Then we enjoyed the euphoric sensation of the 2018 season that delivered Eagles’ fans almost everything that they wanted (I said almost.) The Eagles outmaneuvered Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots to to bring home the Lombardi Trophy, ran the Minnesota Vikings out of Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game, and made a huge defensive stand against Julio Jones and the Falcons in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. Jones now plays for the Eagles.
And last season — a year of nearly Eagles perfection — saw the Eagles lose the Super Bowl to Andy Reid and the Chiefs 38–35. If we had time left on the clock, few in the greater the greater Philadelphia area think that the outcome couldn’t have been different. It could have been another Broad Street Parade once again.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie’s $185 Million investment — now a reported value of $5.6 Billion — are reportedly the #4 most popular NFL team in 2024 according to SportingLad.com. In 2022, the Eagles made $598 Million in revenue. The Eagles have an outstanding 34.1% international fanbase according to gambling.com, which is one of the highest in the whole NFL.
And now, they are an international sensation as well. In March of 2022, the Eagles became the 19th NFL Team to enter the NFL Global Market, securing rights in Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Last year during the Super Bowl, the Eagles even hosted an international watch-party in Accu, Ghana sponsored by GATE Africa. In 2022, they were the first team in the NFL to enter the African market.
Certainly, the Eagles don’t as yet garnish the international the fame as the most popular international team (unfortunately the Dallas Cowboys) but with their current upward trajectory, all the reason exists to believe that eventually they can claim the the position of the NFL’s number one most-popular international team.
Looking back on those August summer days of seeing Jeff Lurie proudly on the sidelines at Training Camp, it’s no wonder why.
The Eagles Went Shopping Last Week. What were They Shopping For Exactly?
Amid a Covid restricted 2020 Draft, the Eagles sat in a remote setting ready to make a second round selection. This pick, would not be an addition to the arsenal for franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, a lockdown cornerback, or a defensive end, or that linebacker that the fanbase wanted so badly.
This selection would land them Jalen Hurts, a top college quarterback prospect.
As a four-star high school recruit from Rivals.com, Jalen Hurts flourished under coach Nick Saban. In the 2018 College Football Championship Game, Hurts was benched in the second half, only to redeem himself and start for Alabama again next season.
Photo of Eagles Nation on X.
In his final college campaign, after transferring to Oklahoma — he had perhaps his most impressive season ever.
In a magical ride season of 2018 — the Eagles won a Super Bowl with two excellent quarterbacks. Was the pick to secure a capable backup or to guard against a Wentz implosion that came nearly a year later?
Last week, the Eagles made an aggressive move to try to get Justin Fields. On the surface, it looked as though it was another aggressive Roseman move as insurance against a catastrophic Jalen Hurts’ injury.
But was it meant to add security or something much more?
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Questions have arisen out of the Novacare Complex about this season, after signing a five-year $255 Million contract, with the highest yearly payout in NFL history of $51 Million per year and with a QBR drop from 2022 of 101.5 to 89.1 this season.
After all was said and done — the Pittsburgh Steelers, not the Philadelphia Eagles signed Justin Fields for $3.2 Million for the 2024 season. Instead, the Eagles have secured Will Grier and Kenny Pickett.
The Eagles did draft Jalen Hurts in that covid-restricted 2020 NFL Draft.
And Carson Wentz. He’d very soon be on his way out in Philadelphia.
