Philadelphia is a city that loves its sports teams as much, if not more, than any other in the world. However, the grand prize that is the Lombardi Trophy has avoided the city for years.

Prior to this Super Bowl, Philadelphia's last NFL championship team was the 1960 Eagles, who knocked off Vince Lombardi himself. The team has often lived in a sort of infamy, as the Eagles did not have a modern championship. Despite coming within 3 points during their 2004-2005 campaign, the Eagles were 0-2 in Super Bowls.

This year felt different, however. The Eagles have been at the forefront of the NFL for the entire year. With a second year head coach and quarterback, there was a lot of interest to see what the team could do after a 7-9 season.

They stormed through their schedule, finishing 13-3 and having only one loss come by more than a touchdown.

However, in the mix of this was adversity that built the Eagles into a much more interesting story.

By the end of the season, the Eagles had 3 of their 5 captains on the Injured Reserve list. Along with All-Pro running back Darren Sproles, the "next man up" philosophy became something they had to live by.

This whole season was very personal for myself as well. Being born in Philadelphia and being raised around the Eagles shaped relationships with members of my family and friends.

On December 10th, 2017, Carson Wentz tore his ACL in the middle of a likely NFL MVP run.

There was something different after that game, everyone connected to the Eagles felt it. The season up to that point felt magical. Wentz had just broken the franchise record for touchdown passes, while standing with one in tact knee.

Yet, when he went down, it felt like the magic had run out. The mood across Eagles nation had changed. As we waited to see if they pulled out a win in Los Angeles, the season felt over.

Sure, the Eagles had just finished up their 11th win over the NFL's 2nd best offense. Sure, the Eagles had clinched their division and a playoff spot. The top seed was still just 2 wins away.

None of that mattered, so much of the offense revolved around Wentz, the Super Bowl run we dreamed of now seemed miles away.

However, the Eagles did not give up. Head coach Doug Pederson and defensive captain Malcolm Jenkins gave emotional speeches to keep the team together.

Afterwards, the season played out like something out of a sports movie.

Backup Nick Foles looked good against the hapless New York Giants (3-13) and then looked about as bad as he could against the Oakland Raiders.

Despite the Christmas day win along with the 1 seed in the NFC, the season did not feel like it could last much longer.

But a combination of incredible coaching and defensive play made it possible for the Eagles to get back to form. The Eagles coaching staff used their bye week to figure out what worked the best with Nick Foles.

The Eagles squeaked by the 6th seeded Falcons courtesy of one touchdown from the running game and 3 field goals from rookie kicker Jake Elliot.

A win is a win.

But after the Vikings defeated the Saints on a miracle, there again was doubt. Vegas oddsmakers installed the Eagles as underdogs once again. The NFL even mistakenly put out an advertisement featuring a Vikings/Patriots Super Bowl before the game.

After reportedly showing the advertisement to the team, the Eagles ran the Vikings out of Lincoln Financial Field. A 38-7 show of offensive and defensive firepower made the Eagles once again look like the team that bulldozed its regular season schedule.

The Eagles were back, "Super Bowl" chants rang throughout the Eagles bar I was inside. The magic was back, and the best young coach in the NFL finished the job. On February 4th, the Eagles finally "brought it home for Jerome." The Lombardi is in Philadelphia for the first time.

This championship is unlike any other. Despite celebrating a similar way in 2008 for the Phillies, the Eagles simply mean more to Philadelphia than any team.

Tears had been shed when the Eagles lost 3 straight NFC Championship games. In 1981, then Eagles coach Dick Vermeil cried on national television after losing the Super Bowl to the Oakland Raiders.

The 2017-2018 Eagles have erased the pain and the suffering of Eagles fans. The Lombardi will make its way down Broad Street on Thursday, while school is cancelled across the city.

The future has never been brighter for the Eagles organization.

Go Birds.