I am not from the South, though I have been here for 12 years, I still consider myself a Philly girl. Going to the NFC Championship game was an amazing experience that I shared with my family.
Despite what you hear in the news media, most of the people who attend Eagles games are legacy families who have been season ticket holders for generations. Such a family are we. My father, now passed, had tickets several stadiums back. Some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting in stadiums with him, be it Eagles, Phillies, or the Big Five basketball, he and I were always at some game. I had no brothers, and was the oldest daughter, so love of sports came to me in all those hours of bonding.
I was present opening day of Veterans Stadium in 1970 and I was present the day they imploded it when "the Linc" was opened. Sitting in our seats always brings a rush of memories of all those years.
One thing I miss living in the Tidewater is that sense of oneness and community that comes from a major sports team, something we lack here. There are instant connections in supermarkets, at gas pumps, at schools, wherever, a part of something sometimes joyful and sometimes miserable. It was truly hard to leave the city the next day, knowing I would miss the city fervor in build up to the Super Bowl.
We are the "underdogs" and in spirited fashion my son donned the dog mask made "famous" by Chris Long and Lane Johnson.
There were a fair amount of Vikings fans in out tailgate lot. But for some jeering going both ways, and one bonehead who chucked his beer into that crowd, things we a lot calmer than the media has portrayed. Philly fans are used to being portrayed as savages.....mostly we are hard working folks who are joyful to be cheering on our team and spending time with family and friends.
The sun set over the Linc....it was almost game time. It was exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time!
A beautiful national anthem ceremony....always brings a tear.
WE WON!!!!
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