Move aside, Dallas Cowboys.
A surprising new contender has emerged as America’s Team in the NFL, at least in the context of the upcoming Super Bowl.
The Philadelphia Eagles have gained substantial support among fans hoping to see the Kansas City Chiefs come up short, motivated by various grievances.
Although the Eagles’ fans are often characterized as boisterous and unruly, and their coach can be polarizing, they represent the final stand for those who oppose the Chiefs.
Recently, a young man donned in midnight green, wearing a Saquon Barkley jersey, was met with cheers of “Go Birds!” as he strolled through an Orlando theme park, just two days after the Eagles’ commanding 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game.
A group of supporters including a Giants fan, a Dolphins fan, and two Patriots fans were all rallying behind Philadelphia in their clash against Kansas City, even if they couldn’t join in singing “Fly! Eagles! Fly!”
“I detest the Eagles, but they’re the lesser of two evils,” confessed a New Yorker who expressed his frustration. “Plus, they have Saquon Barkley. We couldn’t even secure a win with him, so it’s nice to see him thrive in Philly. It’s still tough to watch sometimes, but I really can’t tolerate the Chiefs.”
A significant portion of fans simply feels worn out by the sight of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs lifting yet another Lombardi Trophy.
Kansas City is aiming for its fourth Super Bowl win in what would be its fifth appearance in six years, looking to become the first team to secure three consecutive titles in the Super Bowl era.
Many believe that officials frequently favor the Chiefs in their decisions, a sentiment that has sparked anger among fans and some media figures.
Controversial roughing-the-passer penalties on Mahomes during Kansas City’s playoff game against the Texans only reinforced these beliefs, while a contentious ball placement during Josh Allen’s attempt in the AFC Championship against the Bills drew even more scrutiny.
SiriusXM host Adam Schein labeled the officiating in the Bills-Chiefs matchup as a “disgrace,” and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky criticized the placement as an “awful call and even worse review.”
For Patriots fans, the thought of Mahomes and coach Andy Reid inching closer to the record of six championships held by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick stings.
Supporters of Brady are particularly irked that Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, is often compared to him, particularly since Mahomes is still four titles away from tying Brady.
“Enough with the GOAT comparisons. Brady won seven. Mahomes still needs to catch up,” remarked a doctor from Tampa who grew up in Boston.
For other fans, especially those who have not witnessed a victory parade in ages or ever, there’s a tinge of jealousy toward Kansas City’s clear success.
Many may recall feeling a similar resentment towards the Patriots during their era of dominance.
All the endorsements featuring Reid and Mahomes can irritate some fans, prompting them to turn against the Chiefs.
It’s nearly impossible to watch an NFL game without seeing former Eagles center Jason Kelce appear in a barrage of commercials.
Adding to the frenzy is the Travis Kelce factor. The four-time All-Pro tight end has garnered significant media attention for his romance with pop icon Taylor Swift, often overshadowing the game itself.
This has led some devoted fans to voice their discontent regarding the frequent camera pans to Swift’s reactions in the stands. While Kelce has attracted the affection of Swift’s fans, no prominent couple is without its detractors.
All of these factors have culminated in a growing support for the Eagles as they gear up for the Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs in New Orleans on February 9.
It’s worth noting that the Cowboys, once dubbed “America’s Team” in the late 1970s, have not set foot in a Super Bowl for 29 years.
