Upon moving to Philadelphia to attend Temple University my family warned me about all the risks of moving to the big city. The crime, the violence, busy streets, but no one warned me of the biggest risk of all.
Being a New York Giants fan.
No one told me that I would be unable to wear my royal blue Giants gear Sundays during the months of September through February without a scoff from my people passing me on the street.
No one told me that the owner of the pizza place on the corner of my block would jokingly refuse to serve me after seeing my Giants phone case.
No one told me that I will forever be uncomfortable in my own living room having to face the green Eagles helmet my roommates hung up next to the front door.
It’s a hard and cruel life, but I’m getting through it.
My freshman year I braved an Eagles vs. Giants game at the Lincoln Financial Center. I cheered for my G-Men with pride and accepted the rows of dirty looks along with it. Every Sunday I wear my Giants jersey around campus and smile at the frowns thrown my way. The weeks the Giants do especially bad I rock my XLVI Super Bowl hat to remind all the Philly haters where we have been and where will go.
Luckily, I have found a group of great Eagles fans who have accepted me for who I am, and allow me to hang with them despite our differences. But, don’t think they forget to remind me when the Giant royally lose a game and they occasionally judge my moral beliefs.
When it comes down to it football is football, and nothing beats a little friendly competition. Football bring us all together, even us Eagles and Giants fans, for all the right reasons This season should be more then interesting with the Eagles new quarterback line up, and the return of Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz.
Eagles are 3-0 in this preseason and the Giants are 1-2, but nothing can discourage us. Not even the Giants 2013 season when the team started the year off with six straight losses. Every year is a new year.
I don’t think it's Philadelphia in general, but specifically being a Giant among Eagles has made me a stronger person. It’s taught me to embrace what makes me the outcast and never forget where I came from. I was born to bleed blue and nothing will change that, not even you Philly.
Now entering my third year of Philly living I look forward to the playful fights and smack talk I encounter with my fellow peers. All I have to say every year to Eagles Nation is...bring it on!
