Outside the Lines: My Top 10 Moments from Eagle Games

SportsChLeagueMay 22, 2009

We all have our fondest game memories of our beloved Philadelphia Eagles but I would like to share some of my off the field, unique and sometimes bizarre happenings involving Eagle games. Many of you will remember some of the events because they received national attention.

10. Non-Flammable Clothing: 1978 game at Dallas in Texas Stadium. Tony Dorsett’s rookie year and Tony ran wild for 206 yards including an 84 yard scamper to seal the game. Of course, it was 1978 and the disco era was in full season. Some guy, wearing some crazy looking, loud, exotic material article of clothing caught on fire from a patron’s cigarette. Fire was quickly extinguished. Can anyone say Disco Sucks?
9. Derrick Thomas: October 1992 in Kansas City against the Chiefs. The Birds were 4-0 and coming off a HUGE Monday night win against the Cowboys. We played golf the day before at Deer Creek Golf Club and while playing the back 9, we were almost hit by a ricocheting golf ball hit by Chiefs All-Pro Linebacker Derrick Thomas who was playing the adjacent hole. After dusting ourselves off, Thomas’ agent came over and apologized for the close call but also wanted to let us know that the ball was hit by none other than Derrick Thomas himself. Before driving away in laughter, the agent said, “That was courtesy of Mr. Thomas” of which I replied “Broderick?”
8. My Wife: Meeting my wife during the 1998 season at a sports bar during an Eagles game. If not for my now brother-in-law wearing his Philadelphia Eagle watch, my last 11 years may have been vastly different. Thanks Tommy.
7. Bourbon Street: Super Bowl XV in New Orleans Eagles vs. Raiders. I was only 12 years old and made my first trip to Bourbon Street. Thanks for the experience Dad.
6. Celebrity Sightings: Super XXXIX in Jacksonville Eagles vs. Patriots. I sat 25 seats from LeBron James and 12 rows from Evander Holyfield. Thanks for front row seats big bother.
5. Roman Candle: Monday Night game Eagles vs. 49ers when an unruly fan fired off a Roman Candle in the stadium during the game. After the episode, the Eagles set up a municipal judge in the basement of the Vet and held on site court for offenders. The court was affectionately known as “Eagle Court.”
4. Pete’s a Punk: Super Bowl XV in New Orleans Eagles vs. Raiders. My dad and I had upper deck seats close to the very top. This was not long after NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had blocked Raiders owner Al Davis from moving the team from Oakland to Los Angeles. In protest to Rozelle’s decision, Raider fan hung a large sign on the wall of the Super Dome that read “Pete’s a Punk.” Security had the sign removed prior to kickoff.
3. 5 Gallon Bucket: Tailgating at the Vet before 1992 game against the Broncos and John Elway. Eagles won 30-0 in dominating fashion. During tailgate, restrooms were provided by my Uncle Lou in the form of a 5 gallon bucket in the back of his moving van. A tarp was draped over a rope providing privacy for the bashful. Upon packing up and heading into the game, contents of 5 gallon bucket were discarded onto pavement.
2. Bounty Bowl II: Bounty Bowl II in Philly against the hated Cowboys. Jimmy Johnson had to be escorted by police from the field under a barrage of snow balls thrown by Eagle fans. Some snow balls were said to even contain batteries. Buddy Ryan never won a playoff game but he sure made Eagle football interesting.
1. Fights at the Vet: The December 1981 wildcard game at the Vet against the Giants. Giants jumped out to a 20-0 1st quarter lead fueled by two Wally Henry fumbles in Eagle territory. Essentially game, set and match with three quarters remaining. What to do? Well, we were in Philly so we sat back and watched all the fights. The field level picnic area with folding metal chairs was the first fight venue. This went on for a while and eventually led to an ambulance being backed up to the area to administer first aid to the survivors. Next venue was in the upper deck end zone right in front of us. Giant fan waving a Giant pennant in the face of the Philly fans….bad idea. This is in the day when you could bring your own coolers into the stadium. Next thing you know, Eagle fan slings his half full cooler down 20 rows toward Giant fan. Cooler hits Giant fan in the head, cooler opens up and ricochets over ledge to the lower deck. Since the cooler shot was not fatal, Eagle fans began punching and kicking Giant fan. The punching and kicking escalated into trying to throw Giant fan over upper deck ledge. If not for security, Giant fan may have met his doom that December day right there in the Vet.