Posted on 01/24/2005 6:26:36 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
The Eagles' faithful suffered through three consecutive losses in the conference championship game, and when their football team made it to the Super Bowl on Sunday for the first time in more than 20 years, they erupted in joy.
"I've been to all the championship games, and this, I can't explain," said Easton resident Felipe Garcia as he sniffed back tears. "It's priceless. We deserve it."
Garcia was one of about 200 Lehigh Valley residents who rode one of four Trans Bridge Lines buses to the landmark game at Lincoln Financial Field.
"This was history today," said Jack Trimble of Bethlehem Township. "It was long overdue."
Fans counted down the seconds as the game clock expired to a thunderous cheer. Strangers high-fived outside the stadium as cars blared their horns.
Bethlehem Township resident Pat Wagner was there. He hasn't missed a game in the past four years.
"Finally, we won something," Wagner said. "It was awesome. There isn't much else to say."
Snowfall from the previous day and a half didn't affect the bus tour. The group traveled in style. One busload consumed six pizzas and an unspecified number of cases of beer while watching a DVD of Super Bowl highlights.
Wagner is following the Eagles to Jacksonville, but he won't be traveling quite as luxuriously. He will be one of 40 people crammed into two recreational vehicles.
"It only sleeps about five, so I'll be sleeping on the kitchen counter," Wagner said. "Go Birds!"
Wagner's sister, Julie, was "sick as a dog" but braved the frigid temperatures and made the trip.
"I'm proud of them," Julie Wagner said of the Eagles. "Finally, they broke the curse, or whatever it was."
Fans wore layers of clothing to brace themselves from the fierce winds and low temperature.
"It was very cold, but the energy kept us warm," said Scott Wolbach of Walnutport. His 9-year-old son stood on his seat for the entire game and postgame celebration.
"There was all kinds of fireworks and confetti flying around," Scott Wolbach said.
What a change from the past two years.
"I didn't eat solid food for a week the first year," said Denny Snyder of Macungie, who was referring to his diet after the Eagles lost the NFC Championship Game to Tampa Bay in 2003.
Garcia said he was offered $1,000 for his pair of tickets, but he turned down the offer and has no regrets. The longtime fan in the green and white wig said he's going to frame one of the ticket stubs and hang it on the wall in his garage.
"I cried at halftime," Garcia said. "I cried at the end of the game. I had a great feeling inside me that they were going to win this game."
The Eagles chances of winning are inversely proportional to the number of winbags on FR who insist that they won't win.Are you sure you meant that?
Philly fans are not good at math.
Or tying shoelaces.
Or walking and chewing gum...
I may take those points
You sound like another Democrat talking about Pres. Bush.
Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory.
Fight Eagles fight, score a touchdown 1-2-3.
Hit 'em low,
Hit 'em high,
And we'll watch our Eagles fly.
Fly Eagles fly on the road to victory.
Can you add me to the Eagles ping list?
Thanks Doc!
Enjoy it while it lasts, Iggles fans, because you're about to meet the Grim Reaper in the Superbowl.
I've done my part by openly inviting all the Philly haters to kiss my ass.
Those three consecutive chokes....as you say....just goes to show that the Eagles have proven with their four consecutive "winning" seasons that they deserve to be in the Super Bowl. With teams such as Tampa Bay...it was just one season of luck.
I thought they were rusty and didnt have a chance? Werent they supposed to blow it?
:)
Sure. I'll make up a ping list from from anyone who posts on this thread.
I agree and will say it again. Its not Donovan McNabbs fault that your hero is/was a big fat drug addict, said stupid things about football and got fired.
LOL....my sentiments as well!!
They are also humorless.
We have a lot of humor and pride in our team.
Yeah, well I take a lot of pride in Santa Claus, buddy.
Read this
What does that mean? Who are you supporting in the Super Bowl?
The Falcons never showed up. I don't give the Eagles any credit at all for beating this non-team.
Now, if the Eagles beat New England they will deserve all the credit in the world. If they don't, then my feeling that they are a mediocre team with an over-rated quarterback will be proven without a doubt.
On to JAX with the overconfident Patsies.
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