When one thinks of the Philadelphia sports fan base, many believe the legend rather than the truth. The bottom line here, though, is the truth outdoes the legend.
Eagles fans have a long litany of transgressions next their names, so much so that they were the first professional sports team to install jail cells in their stadium.
This is a bunch that once threw snowballs and booed Santa Claus, supported a hockey team that fought it’s way to two Stanley Cup championships, punched police horses and, after the Eagles won the Super Bowl, ate horse dropping and climbed greased light poles.
They’re always on their ‘best’ behavior when a New York team comes to town. Last year, Saquon Barkley’s family attended the Giants’ game in Philly and — even though they’re from the Bronx and have lived about 65 miles outside of Philadelphia for decades, caught the ire of the Eagles fans.
Barkley’s dad, Alibay, who is the nephew of former world champion boxer Iran Barkley, was shocked at the reception the Giants and their fans received from the Philly faithful.
“Every parking lot is different, but you might see different types of hand gestures when you’re going to Philly,” Saquon told reporters on Thursday. “But, that’s Philly. I remember my dad went to the game last year and my dad had to take a step back from himself and remember that he’s my father and we don’t want to be on the front cover of the paper in New York. So, a fan might have said something different that he didn’t really agree with, but I think my dad handled that in the right way. Those fans, they’re Philly. That’s how Philly is, but it’s fun. It’s always fun to go out there and play against them, so hopefully we go out there and get a win.”
Saquon, a star at Penn State, is no stranger to the Eagles fans’ antics. He was asked if he heard any language that he’d never heard before on this planet during last year’s trip.
“Not this planet, but I mean, definitely it’s who it comes from I would say that’s not expected,” he said.
Eli Manning tells the story of nine-year-old fans giving him the finger in Philadelphia. Barkley saw some of that, too, but says it’s not always a bad thing.
“You might see a kid. It’s unique, but it’s fun. That’s football and that’s what Philly’s known for and the type of people that they are, but you could use it against them also, too. If you can get things going, you can see them turn away from — not turn away from the team, but you can get the crowd going in different directions. So, we’ve just got to go out there, have fun and try to find a way to get a win,” he said.
This game has plenty of meaning, even for the 2-10 Giants. The Eagles are 5-7, well below preseason expectations, and with a win can pull into a flatfooted tie with Dallas (6-7) for first place in the dreadful NFC East.
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