PHILADELPHIA — On Valentine’s Day, the streets of Philadelphia were alive with celebratory green as fans honored their Super Bowl champion Eagles.
Enthusiastic supporters erupted in cheers as MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts and team owner Jeffrey Lurie took turns lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the kickoff of the victory parade that wound its way through the city.
Dedicated fans began camping out overnight along the parade route, wrapped in blankets and huddled in tents to secure the best views near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was the main stage for the festivities where the Eagles stood proudly on the famous “Rocky” steps.
“I made it a point that when I got drafted, I wouldn’t come to the ‘Rocky’ steps until I won a championship,” stated Hurts, who was clearly excited to reach this milestone.
As enthusiastic pandemonium ensued, a few exuberant fans threw beer cans at players aboard the open-air buses, with one errant toss hitting Eagles general manager Howie Roseman in the forehead.
“I bleed for this city,” Roseman remarked later as part of the celebration.
In the throng, other fans, dressed in Eagles jerseys, climbed trees and light poles, clambered on ladders, and even clung to a statue of Benjamin Franklin outside City Hall to catch a glimpse of star running back Saquon Barkley and rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, who celebrated his birthday by returning an interception for a touchdown.
Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the importance of teamwork and fan support when he noted, “This team is special. We can’t be great without the greatness of others, and that certainly applies to our fans.”
Barkley, along with several teammates, took the time to step off the buses to greet fans with high-fives as they pressed against makeshift barricades.
Jordan Jaindl, who missed the Eagles’ previous parade in 2018 after their first Super Bowl win, brought his wife and three daughters from Binghamton, New York, this time around. He expressed that the team represented the spirit of the city, highlighting their relentless work ethic.
“They have to grind for each win. We have to grind here in Philly,” Jaindl declared.
Many fans adorned themselves with Eagles colors, rolling in grocery carts filled with food and drinks, while others opted for the warmth of hotel lounges, champagne in hand. One group even roasted a pig, creatively carving the number “15” into the side as a playful nod to Kansas City’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
Despite entering the Super Bowl as underdogs, the Eagles overwhelmed the Chiefs with a commanding 40-22 victory, keeping them scoreless in the first half.
Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham expressed relief, stating, “I’m so happy you didn’t have to go through a nail-biter game. It’s about us being gritty. We’re going to stay gritty.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker alongside other city officials urged the enthusiastic crowd to celebrate safely during the festivities.
“In the midst of all this beauty, all of the sacrifices this team has made to meet this moment, we don’t want it to all go by the wayside,” she reminded the fans.
Just weeks prior, tragedy struck when a college student died falling from a street pole after the Eagles secured their NFC championship. Additionally, a year earlier, a shooting at Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory rally resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries.
Authorities noted that two women were shot in the legs during an argument near the parade, although details regarding the incident and its connection to the festivities remain unclear.
A heightened police presence was observed throughout the parade, which extended from South Philadelphia, where the Eagles play, all the way to City Hall and culminating at the art museum.
Checkpoints created by dump trucks and heavy machinery blocked many side streets, while city schools, courts, and various municipal agencies were closed in observance of the parade.
