Eagles’ victory gives kids (and their parents) a reason to party on a very exciting school night
From Broad Street in Center City to Frankford and Cottman in the Northeast, parents brought their children to celebrate a victory, yes, but also to soak in what it means to be a Philadelphian.
The Sunday night blues most certainly were not evident across Philly after the Eagles clinched a trip to the Super Bowl, especially among kids who got to experience a most unusual school night along with their giddy parents.
Not long after the Eagles had decidedly finished off the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field to capture the title of NFC champions, Nina Cabral marched up Broad Street toward City Hall, waving an Eagles flag with a toddler strapped to her back.
She spent the day tailgating with her husband, Andrew. But the South Philly couple picked up the kids from their grandparents and headed for the wild celebration on Broad Street.
When the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018, Cabral was pregnant with her older child. ”Now I have both my kids coming down to Broad Street,” she said. “So that’s epic.”
Believe it or not, Charles Kelley Wilson saw a teaching moment in the revelry — on what it means to be a Philadelphian. So he brought his 3-year-old, Charli, to fan-packed Broad Street near the Ritz Carlton hotel.
”I have been an Eagles fan all my life, now it’s her turn,” Wilson said, softly jumping up and down as Charli sat atop his shoulders, her face nestled on his head. ”This is history right here and now she gets to say she was here.”
Among the fireworks, hoisted beers and greased light poles at Frankford and Cottman Avenues in the Northeast, Lance Brown watched with pride as his children, ages 8 and 10, entered an impromptu dance circle and helped amp up the crowd.
”This is fantastic,” said Brown, of Northeast Philadelphia. “I feel better for my kids,” he added, mentioning that the win means they will witness the third Eagles Super Bowl appearance of their young lives. ”There’s nothing better than the atmosphere in this city. It’s fantastic.”