Philadelphia Eagles fans are infamous and Lincoln Financial Field is known as one of the tougher stadiums to play in. The fans are not particularly loud or supportive because the rogue spectators from Philadelphia do not have a lot of patience for anyone.
They once booed Santa Claus and then threw snowballs at him.
The antics at half-time of the Eagles’ final regular-season game in 1968 helped cement Philadelphia’s reputation for having some of the worst fans in the league.
So when the New York Giants fans made the short trip to their Philadelphia rivals last Sunday, the visitors knew what they were in for. The game was a 27-0 blowout for the Eagles, but more horrible stories about the home fans’ behaviour emerged.
Fights and arrests soared as Philadelphia police chief Joe Sullivan said the level of violence was “above average” and featured one of the most unique cases he had seen.
Sonny Forriest Jr, 57, who is a well-known war veteran who sings before Eagles games, had his prosthetic leg stolen by a woman wearing Eagles gear.
A new low. Even for Eagles’ fans.
But the lack of class the Eagles fans showed was made up for by their team. When Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz went down with a serious knee injury, Eagles players were by his side in prayer as he was laying in pain on the turf. Eagles coach Chip Kelly later visited Cruz at the hospital.
Maybe some of the hooligans in the stands should take notes from the players and coach they are so willing to fight for.
agray@thenational.ae
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