Posted on 02/01/2005 6:24:37 AM PST by MississippiMasterpiece
PHILADELPHIA -- Some long-suffering Philadelphia Eagles fans are so desperate to get to the Super Bowl that they're borrowing against their homes to pay for the tickets.
Take Kevin P. O'Donoghue, a lifelong fan from the suburbs, who told his wife after the Eagles advanced to their first Super Bowl in 24 years, "I don't care if we have to mortgage our house, I'm going."
She replied, "Wait a minute, maybe that's a good idea."
So O'Donoghue sunk $4,000 on a Super Bowl package that includes round-trip airfare, a four-night hotel stay and one ticket to the Feb. 6 game in Jacksonville, Fla. To pay for it, he applied for a home equity line of credit, a way of borrowing money that requires you to put up your home as collateral. He's getting the money in a few days.
"Sometimes the cards are maxed out and you gotta do what you gotta do," said O'Donoghue, 36, an account executive from Glen Mills.
Mortgage bankers in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey say that Eagles fans have been inquiring about refinancing mortgages, or taking out home equity loans or home equity credit lines, to pay for what O'Donoghue calls "the chance of a lifetime."
Eric Reeber, a mortgage banker in Mount Laurel, N.J., said his office has gotten at least a dozen calls from Eagles fans looking for some quick cash. He said two couples have already been approved and are scheduled to close on their loans next week. (He said they were too embarrassed to talk publicly about their borrowing.)
"Some people don't care if it costs them $100 more a month," said Reeber, of Northern States Funding Group. "But I'll stand by it, if they want it."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
The Lancaster, PA Intelligencer Journal newspaper ran a front page story last Saturday which was an interview with the man who was Santa, Frank Olivo. He was not drunk, was not in a lousy tattered suit, did not make an obscene gesture to the fans. His story is backed up by Gov. Ed Rendell.
Owl, is there any way for to cash in on this by taking advantage of these people? Don't they realize that if they go to the game instead of watching it on TV they won't get to see the funny new commercials? I hope there's one with a polar bear, those are great! And I hope that Pepsi has Michael Jackson singing and dancing on their's - he's so fabulous!
Apparently then, the guy who played Santa, the governor of the state at the time, and other people are all lying then.
Must be a conspiracy to paint the poor harmless little fuzzballs known as Eagles Fans as something they are not.
Poor, misunderstood Philly Phans. When will you all get the respect you deserve?
I'm just hoping to catch that Apple computer one with the guy with the spear again! I was refilling the Dorito bowl in the kitchen when it was first on and it's been my life's dream to catch it again.
I think we're also due for the next installation of the "Where's the BEEF" campaign! I love that Clara Peller. I hope they make a movie out of her like they did with that Mean Joe Green and the kid Coke commercial.
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores
I thought Clara Pella died some years ago. She probably still votes, but I doubt she'll be acting anymore.
And don't forget, Philly Eagles fans booed Santa Claus.
36 Years ago. The fact that you don't have anything more recent to bring up doesn't do much to bolster your point.
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores
Not that it matters or anything, but there have been reports of fans pelting opposing teams' fans with batteries etc... Not exactly the epitome of "Welcome to our fair city. Enjoy the game!"
Philly voted Kerry. How's that for recent? :)
Make that, Philly voted Kerry with enough voter fraud to carry PA.
Uhhhh, sunday perhaps?
That's how I felt after spending a ton of money to go to Game 3 at Busch Stadium last year.
But that was in Denver and Boston, and while Eagles/Philadelphia fans are well known for traveling to see our team on the road, that's pretty much it. We don't show up en masse to a Broncos Cheifs game or a Red Sox Yankees game.
I highly doubt those batteries were thrown by Philadelphians.
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores
Maybe the team will (but as a Pats fan, I'll just say "I doubt it"), but I doubt anyone will think any more or any less about Philly's fans.
I was actually talking about in Philly. I recall a news article around here somewhere about fan conduct during the Viking game in Philly, and it didnt' paint a very good picture. Physically abusive, battery-throwing, and all around just plain bad behaviour.
It's too bad, too, because Philly is a pretty good team, and it's unfortunate that the classless acts of their fans reflects upon the team - something the team doesn't need, ya know?
Make that, Philly voted Kerry with enough voter fraud to carry PA.
Can't argue with the truth. As many on this board know, I ran for State Rep in a District in Philadelphia. The voter roles for eligible voters from the spring Primary showed @18,000 registered voters. Now, additional voters could have registered, but since people aren't purged off the roles until they miss 3 general elections (or someone doesn't vote for them for 3 general elections) you'd expect to have about 15,000 votes cast.
Come election day, over 24,000 votes were cast.
The voter and election official intimidation was bad, one of our poll watchers had a gun pulled on them. I met a person who turned up to vote but someone had already voted in their name. Kerry canvasers and MoveOn were inside the polling places. It was a disgrace.
But what are you going to do? The Philadelphia R party leadership does nothing because they get no support from the State or National party. I can call the FBI, PA AG, or city Prosecutor, but nothing will be done.
When will the GOP realize that stopping fraud in the cities helps just as much as pouring resources into rural areas to get the vote out?
Now, wasn't this a football thread?
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores
Not if they are using their home as security. The lender would foreclose on the home.
PING
The only thing I read was that Culpepper's wife was heckled. And yeah, that's going to happen if you show up wearing the opposing team's jersey. I won't deny that. In fact, it's kind of asking for some measure of abuse, not physical, but people are going to razz you. That's life.
I've been to more than my fair share of Eagles games, and yeah, I've seen some people get roughed up. The most typical example being a guy who showed up to an Eagles Broncos game wearing a Troy Aikman jersey. He went up to the 700 level, climbed up on the railing, facing the crowd and started screaming "EAGLES SUCK". In short order he was covered in beer and security monkey piled him. I don't really have a problem with that stuff happening. In fact, I've seen similar things in both D.C. and a Giants game. Jerks get what's coming to them.
I can tell you that any reports of battery throwing at LFF are highly unlikely. Nobody is stupid enough to put their $4,000 PSL on the line just to throw a battery. If and when security catches you (and they will) you lose all the PSLs associated with with that seat. Even if the tickets were given to you, try explaining how important it was to launch that battery to your cousin or boss.
Like a lot of things, the reputation is greatly exagerated.
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores
(It was a chick w/a hammer, btw) :-)
I know Kevin, He is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
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