The Eagles are headed to the Promised Land. And local fans celebrated in true Philly fashion.
Several thousand Eagles fans gathered Sunday night at Frankford and Cottman avenues, and they are hoping to make a return trip to the Mayfair intersection very soon.
The 15th Police District and business owners took plenty of precautions before the Eagles faced the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game, but there were few problems.
Other than an off-color Tom Brady chant and a couple of young ladies lifting their tops, most people were on their best behavior, celebrating Philly’s 38–7 victory.
There were other celebrations in the Northeast, with several hundred fans gathering at the World War I monument at the five points intersection of Cottman, Oxford and Rising Sun avenues in Burholme.
Mayor Jim Kenney was happy with the fan behavior and is hoping for more of the same leading up to Super Bowl LII, Feb. 4 in Minneapolis.
“It’s been an amazing season, and we are thrilled beyond words that there is still one very big game to go. I know fans of all ages, from all corners of this great city, are bursting with excitement, and I ask Philadelphians to enjoy the team’s Super Bowl berth in a safe and respectful way. Let’s celebrate with the same pride in our city that the players have shown throughout this astonishing season,” he said.
Mayfair businesses, at the urging of the police department, activated their surveillance cameras in case of problems. Police used Crisco to grease poles to discourage anyone from climbing. And Mayfair community leaders removed the giant planters around the neighborhood.
There were plenty of honking horns and fireworks after the Eagles clinched the victory over the Vikings, with police helicopters above and officers on the ground and the tops of buildings keeping an eye on the pandemounium.
Traffic was blocked on Frankford Avenue at Bleigh Avenue and Tyson Avenue, with trash trucks at Aldine Street, Teesdale Street, Wellington Street and the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Leon Street.
Jubilant fans chanted “E-A-G-L-E-S” and sung the “Fly, Eagles, Fly” victory song. A boombox blared Who Let the Dogs Out, a song adopted by fans after the team was the underdog at home against the Atlanta Falcons in its first playoff game and against the Vikings.
Fans chanted “Foles,” for new hero Nick Foles, the quarterback who had a spectacular game against the Vikings filling in for injured star Carson Wentz.
They also screamed, “We want Brady,” referring to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who will be going for his sixth Super Bowl ring.
The celebration will pale in comparison to the one that could come on Feb. 4. The fans hollering, “One more win,” will be joined by thousands of others if the Eagles beat the Patriots.
Oddsmakers, though, have installed the Patriots as 5-point favorites. But fans have embraced the team’s underdog status, wearing dog masks and T-shirts and buying soft pretzels in the shape of a dog bone at the Pretzel Factory.
Soon, plans will be made to prepare for a Feb. 4 celebration at Frankford and Cottman.
Marc Collazzo, executive director of the Mayfair Business Improvement District, offered thanks to Capt. Anthony Luca, community relations officer Matthew Crosson and the rest of the 15th Police District for their assistance last Sunday.
Collazzo also praised Jim Berghaier, of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation; Dan Lutz Contracting; SEPTA; Omega Security Systems; City Councilman Bobby Henon; and business and property owners.
“It was truly a safe, fun and memorable evening,” he said. “Thanks so much, and let’s do it again in two weeks.” ••
