Another member of the bird gang Alex, awesome! And I really enjoyed reading this. FWIW whenever some Midwesterner uses the “you guys threw snowballs at Santa” argument for how bad we Philly fans are I am happy to inform them that Santa was drunk. And therefore deserving of said snowballs!
I love this. I'm not a sports fan but really wish I were, for the reasons you cited. Even though I know nothing about sports, I must admit, as a resident of NYC, it was really exciting when the Yankees were doing well last month! The energy around town was electric (until their devastating loss...).
We should write an article together. What should we write?
Idea: why is the crowd at a baseball game so friendly to each other, while in other countries, the "supporters" of different teams have to be separated by armed police?
An acquaintance from El Salvador told me that the sort of welcome Klay Thompson got when he returned for a Warriors game would never, never happen in a Latin American futbol match. They take it personally that you're playing for the enemy now.
I’d love that! Two problems. 1 - if Soto goes to the Red Sox I might lose my mind. 2 - growing up around Philly fans I can’t say everyone is friendly hahaha but I do agree with what you’re saying. I’d like to think about this a little. I’ll dm you.
There’s a movie “Big Fan” with Patton Oswalt, where he’s a rabid NY Giants fan who has a feud with an Eagles fan. I wouldn’t say it’s a great movie, but I saw it at Sundance.
I’ve never seen it. I’ve lived my entire life around Giants fans in New Jersey so I’d have a particularly keen eye on the details of this movie haha I’ll definitely check it out.
Found your writing during the Bob Costas tribute tour and I’ve been a fan ever since. Pun intended. Well put on so much above. Unlike politics, sports feels like one of the last meritocracies left on earth, for better and worse. Sure, there are popularity contests in the media re: coverage. But small market teams can compete and win on the field / court. And as you mentioned, there’s something so completely addictive and vicarious about being a fan. The lack of control, and deranged belief that our emotions or unwashed jersey, where we sit can be the difference. Honey, don’t taunt the sports gods. The last time we played them on the road, I sat in that ottoman and not that stupid fart sponge couch cushion and I’m telling you, that’s 100% why they got the calls down the stretch. Because of me! 👊
In 2009, I took my fiancée to see the eventual Super Bowl champion Saints play the Redskins. The Zorn-led Redskins managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory by misssing something like a 30-yard FG at the end of the fourth quarter.
As we hiked back to the Metro stop after the game, we had a nice conversation with a disappointed Skins fan.
You all are so nice; not like Eagles fans.
Having lived most of my life in Redskins’ County, and run Sonny Jorgensen and Sam Huff calling games on the radio, I have more than a bit of bias against the Iggles.
I don’t blame ANYONE for hating the Eagles and their fans. I wanted to include a story of me and my friend going to a game when we were 11-12. He was rooting for the Vikings, wearing a Vikings jersey no less, at the old Vet stadium. He got HARASSED haha I still feel bad to this day I didnt stick up for him but hey, sports! 😂
Thinking back, I remember “The Body Bag” game against the Redskins…90? Brian Mitchell playing QB after the three suited QBs were treated like pincushions. Srsly. F. Buddy Ryan. Then trying to play HS football for someone who absolutely idolized him.
(We’d just gotten back to the States, and I’d probably just had one of my first really bad MS flares. I was smaller, weaker, than the Penna kids, but I was also slower, so it worked out well…..)
I didn't know you were a Philly fan... I take back all the nice things I said. 😂
Just the birds. Like I said…I was born into it 😂
Another member of the bird gang Alex, awesome! And I really enjoyed reading this. FWIW whenever some Midwesterner uses the “you guys threw snowballs at Santa” argument for how bad we Philly fans are I am happy to inform them that Santa was drunk. And therefore deserving of said snowballs!
It’s not even in the top 5 worst things I’ve seen Eagle fans do! Hahaha Go Birds no matter what though!
Uhhh Santa is always drunk. Not everyone leaves milk with the cookies!
🤣🤣
I love this. I'm not a sports fan but really wish I were, for the reasons you cited. Even though I know nothing about sports, I must admit, as a resident of NYC, it was really exciting when the Yankees were doing well last month! The energy around town was electric (until their devastating loss...).
Find you a friend that really knows baseball and you’ll be hooked! But only if want to lose your mind every year 😂 definitely not a healthy obsession.
Hey, Alex:
We should write an article together. What should we write?
Idea: why is the crowd at a baseball game so friendly to each other, while in other countries, the "supporters" of different teams have to be separated by armed police?
An acquaintance from El Salvador told me that the sort of welcome Klay Thompson got when he returned for a Warriors game would never, never happen in a Latin American futbol match. They take it personally that you're playing for the enemy now.
I’d love that! Two problems. 1 - if Soto goes to the Red Sox I might lose my mind. 2 - growing up around Philly fans I can’t say everyone is friendly hahaha but I do agree with what you’re saying. I’d like to think about this a little. I’ll dm you.
There’s a movie “Big Fan” with Patton Oswalt, where he’s a rabid NY Giants fan who has a feud with an Eagles fan. I wouldn’t say it’s a great movie, but I saw it at Sundance.
I’ve never seen it. I’ve lived my entire life around Giants fans in New Jersey so I’d have a particularly keen eye on the details of this movie haha I’ll definitely check it out.
Not a great movie, I should note.
Found your writing during the Bob Costas tribute tour and I’ve been a fan ever since. Pun intended. Well put on so much above. Unlike politics, sports feels like one of the last meritocracies left on earth, for better and worse. Sure, there are popularity contests in the media re: coverage. But small market teams can compete and win on the field / court. And as you mentioned, there’s something so completely addictive and vicarious about being a fan. The lack of control, and deranged belief that our emotions or unwashed jersey, where we sit can be the difference. Honey, don’t taunt the sports gods. The last time we played them on the road, I sat in that ottoman and not that stupid fart sponge couch cushion and I’m telling you, that’s 100% why they got the calls down the stretch. Because of me! 👊
Couldn’t have said it better myself man. They really are the last meritocracies!
In 2009, I took my fiancée to see the eventual Super Bowl champion Saints play the Redskins. The Zorn-led Redskins managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory by misssing something like a 30-yard FG at the end of the fourth quarter.
As we hiked back to the Metro stop after the game, we had a nice conversation with a disappointed Skins fan.
You all are so nice; not like Eagles fans.
Having lived most of my life in Redskins’ County, and run Sonny Jorgensen and Sam Huff calling games on the radio, I have more than a bit of bias against the Iggles.
But I hate the Failcons a lot more.
I don’t blame ANYONE for hating the Eagles and their fans. I wanted to include a story of me and my friend going to a game when we were 11-12. He was rooting for the Vikings, wearing a Vikings jersey no less, at the old Vet stadium. He got HARASSED haha I still feel bad to this day I didnt stick up for him but hey, sports! 😂
Thinking back, I remember “The Body Bag” game against the Redskins…90? Brian Mitchell playing QB after the three suited QBs were treated like pincushions. Srsly. F. Buddy Ryan. Then trying to play HS football for someone who absolutely idolized him.
(We’d just gotten back to the States, and I’d probably just had one of my first really bad MS flares. I was smaller, weaker, than the Penna kids, but I was also slower, so it worked out well…..)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Bag_Game
I was born in 90. Id never heard of this game! Haha not shocking though