Eagles•More PHL•News•Unique Columns
Sure — when your NFL Team is ninety-two years old like a lifetime full of tons of happy memories and some that you’d probably rather forget — it’s often hard to believe that one moment defines you.
And of course — from a franchise that stopped Emmitt Smith on 4th and 1 in 1995, threw a 46-yard dagger into the Chiefs secondary in the second half of Super Bowl LIX to end the competitive phase of the contest, and pulled off not one but three Miracles in the Meadowlands — it’s hard to pick just one moment. But it certainly helps when ESPN’s Sportscenter 30 for 30 has produced a film about one of those moments.
Eight years ago this weekend — the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. That brought home the first ever Lombardi Trophy for the franchise even without quarterback Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, or Jordan Hicks by defeating the New England Patriots and perhaps the best quarterback and coach combination in the history of the NFL.
Right before halftime with the Eagles up 15–12 — Philadelphia running back Cory Clement took a swing pass 55 yards from Nick Foles. Three plays later — Philadelphia had a 4th and Goal from the one-yard line.
One aspect that had defined the Eagles 2017–2018 season was the boldness to keep the offense on the field on fourth down. Right before halftime and nursing a three-point advantage — this was no exception for Doug Pederson. Calling timeout — Pederson wildly scanned his playsheet. When Foles ran over to the sideline and their eyes met — he immediately asked for Philly, Philly — a play that had gone into the Eagles Install Package two weeks before for the NFC Championship Game against Minnesota. Moments later — Cory Clement took the snap, flipped it to Trey Burton who threw the ball to Nick Foles for a touchdown to put the Eagles up by ten.
The irony was that earlier in the game the Patriots tried to run a similiar halfback pass to Tom Brady — who dropped the ball.
The Philly Special was not the play that won the Super Bowl. The Eagles would need some 4th quarter magic on both offense and defense to win the game 41–33 and even trailed 33–32 in the final period.
But what the Philly Special did was to signify the embodiment of a fearlessness that was the 2017-2018 Philadelphia Eagles. Not only the confidence to go for it on fourth down — but to run a play that they had never called before.
That same boldness and fearlessness — wasn’t just a perfect fit for the Eagles. It was a perfect reflection of the city that they have called home since 1933. One whose unyielding resolve had never waivered in it’s support — each season waiting for another championship celebration — the first since 1960.
One year ago — thousands of fans who enjoyed a 55–23 rout of the Washington Commanders at the Linc — passed a bronze statue capturing that decisive moment when Foles and Pederson decided on a play to completely stun the opposing team. It will forever live as the most remembered play from a storied franchise nearly as old as the NFL itself — a play known now to the ages with just two words:
Philly, Philly.
Categorized:Eagles More PHL News Unique Columns
