Philadelphia.
The Reading Terminal Market. The Art Museum Steps. The song “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill. The tasty cake, the cheesesteak, and the soft pretzel. The fresh prince. The word “Jawn” in arguably any context (ie: That jawn over there. That jawn is out of pocket. Her? Oh yeah. She’s just my jawn.) The 215 area code. The midnight WaWa runs.
Oh, did I forget something? You’re right. The Philadelphia Eagles. And it just so happens that the birds are headed to Super Bowl 52.
After the N.F.C. win, Philadelphia erupted. Literally.
Having been blessed with the opportunity of attending college in Philadelphia, I was able to witness the riot first hand. The energy was like nothing I’d experienced before. The most diverse, ecstatic group of people I’ve ever seen came together yelling, chanting, and climbing up light poles on Broad Street. I couldn’t tell you how many times I heard “Fly, Eagles, Fly.”
Philadelphia has shown its humor throughout the football season. Examples range from the players put on dog masks to embrace the underdog role to someone literally suggesting on Twitter that we all tear our ACLs in solidarity with Carson Wentz.
So, Sunday’s riot was littered with masks and posters, children and parents, and locals and students. There were strangers hugging and prolonged honking of horns and dancing in the middle of the streets – whether you were good or not. Everyone was either heavily intoxicated or unbelievably happy. Or both.
Definitely both.
Sunday’s celebration created a strange Philadelphian utopia that made me realize something: There’s a reason why Philly is nicknamed the city of “Brotherly Love.” I could feel it’s embrace.
A win for the Super Bowl isn’t about football. It’s about the love for a city and the people inside of it. Philadelphia has a spark that continues to be illuminated.
So now we’ve got one more game. With it, the final task remains: To bring home that long-dreamed-about title to those crazy, unhinged, euphoric, overjoyed, intoxicated, loud, uncontrollable, rowdy, (mildly inappropriate) Philadelphia Eagles fans.
Win or lose, Philly will make noise.