The Philadelphia Eagles captured their first Super Bowl win in franchise history on Feb. 4th against the New England Patriots, winning 41-33. In a game that showed the brilliance of Tom Brady and the Patriots offense, they didn’t have enough answers for the Eagles.
It was a game that most thought, "there is no way the Patriots lose" winning is in their blood, it’s who they are, it is what they do. That was until Nick Foles came into the picture.
It’s not too often that the backup quarterback is more popular than the starter, that all changed this year. Foles, the quarterback who almost retired and hung the cleats up. On a fishing trip with his brother-in-law decided to give it another go. A short time later, he signed with the Eagles as a backup to Carson Wentz. The role as a backup was short lived. Wentz tore his ACL in week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams and Foles number was called.
The Eagles were 11-2, and many thought their season was over. Foles, took that as motivation and used the underdog card. That mindset worked, and in a way, no one imaged. The Eagles had swagger, they were playing loose, and for their city. Foles finished the last stretch of the season 2-1, and the Eagles finished the season 13-3. He had showcased what he was capable of, and the Eagles were rolling. Getting past the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings, the Cinderella story seemed to be playing out.
People didn’t really know much about the Eagles quarterback except for he was a backup, and it was his second time playing in Philadelphia. It was a situation where he’s the guy that came out of nowhere and made heads turn. He did that throughout the playoffs, but he was lights out in the biggest game, Super Bowl 52.
Foles was 28 of 43 on passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Along with that, he had a 1-yard touchdown catch. During the second quarter, Brady dropped a pass from receiver Danny Amendola. The Eagles decided to do it back and it was Foles who called it. Called “The Philly Special," the play worked. In big games, play calling is everything. It was the gutsy call that came up big. To beat the best, the best has to be outcoached, and that happened. Doug Peterson outcoached the Patriots on that play.
Foles answered the scoreboard every time he needed to. Walking into the Super Bowl an unknown, he left a champion and MVP. Having 1-year left on his contract he could be the backup to Wentz, or he could be a starter elsewhere in the NFL.
1,514 miles away from Minneapolis, fans were rioting the streets of Umass Amherst. Students set fires, trashed the area, and fights broke out. During the riots, 6 were arrested and 12 were treated for injuries. In the middle of fans lashing out following the loss a few states away, Eagles fans in Philadelphia, around 2,000 students gathered in the city streets. Fans were climbing street lights, jumping on cars, setting fires, and screaming chants “Fly Eagles Fly.” Throughout the city, yells could be heard “F--- Tom Brady” and “Big D--- Nick."
Other fans, went a little overboard. Fans climbed on top of the Ritz Carlton awning, one by one, the awning got weaker eventually collapsing on the sidewalk. Despite the mayhem, only 4 arrests were made.
A player, who almost gave up football to live a regular life instead of in the spotlight became an unlikely hero. A dream most only fantasize about became a reality for the man in midnight green and silver. The backup quarterback was called to action, and he delivered. Philadelphia captured their first Super Bowl and the underdogs prevailed. The victory gave the city something to be proud of and hold on to.
It was the year of the backup quarterback and a season never to be forgotten.
