Great news, Philly. We’ve got a birthday to celebrate. And you’re not only invited. You are actually already living the party (you didn’t think that the post-Super Bowl Cooper DeJean cake was for he and Saquon, did you?)
It’s been ninety-two years since Bert Bell’s Eagles became a reality in Philadelphia in 1933. For a City with a history of football excellence — the Eagles definitely brought something different. The difference was that they were terrible, atrocious, just plain bad.
Conversely the NFL franchise that they replaced in Philadelphia — the Frankford Yellowjackets — pounded opponents into submission. They beat club teams from all over America, and beat teams already in the NFL which they played. When they were able to gain an NFL franchise thanks in part to annihilation of every team they faced — and Frankford steam-rolled NFL teams as well and won a 1926 NFL Championship. Back in Center City — the University of Pennsylvania marveled and dazzled the college competition at Franklin Field.
When the Eagles began play in football in 1933 parading around with an Eagle as the symbol of FDR’s new deal for America — you couldn’t sell a ticket to the Baker Bowl to see them play. They lost their first game ever 56–0 to the Giants at the Polo Grounds, didn’t have a winning season for a decade, the owner had to sell tickets and sweep up the stadium, and their first franchise quarterback decided to decline a contract extension offer and be an FBI Field Agent rather than getting his brains beat in as an Eagles QB.
But today’s Eagles are the polar opposite of that 1933 group. They are a polished — well prepared mix of rookie talent, top athleticism, and veteran presence. Not that each franchise doesn’t have to start somewhere. They will take the field in two weeks not trying to win a championship or build a legacy, but to solidify that legacy.
When your kids ask you this summer about some of the best moments of Eagles history — tell them about Steve Van Buren and the Eagles of the 1940s. Tell them about Buddy Ryan’s defense of the 1980s, or Nick Foles heroics of 2018.
Tell them they are living the best days right now. Tell that the best football years are yet to come.
Tags: Bert Bell Cooper DeJean Davey O’Brien Frankford Yellow Jackets Saquon Barkley Steve Van Buren
Categorized:Uncategorized