For Pennsylvania’s sake, let’s root for the Eagles — and the Steelers

Eagles fans have an opportunity to help highlight our state’s big talent, outsize influence, and boost businesses across the commonwealth. And all we have to do is root for the Steelers and hope for a dream pro football scenario for the Keystone State: an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.

Now that both the Eagles and the Steelers have qualified for the NFL playoffs, there is a chance that both of our state’s teams could meet in the league’s championship game. The chances of that actually happening might be slimmer than a slice of Scrapple. But if the black and gold and the midnight green could get to that game together, the positive PR and potential economic benefits would be profound.

Pennsylvania is a thriving global economy with a thirst for top talent — and educational institutions that catalyze careers. But when I’m traveling around the world, my response to “Where are you from?” is too often: “Just outside Philly … Philadelphia — have you heard of it? … Pennsylvania … Nah? … Just south of New York.”

New York may put on shows, but we get the work done. To share the stats backing that claim, we would benefit from a global media event like the Super Bowl.

The game would kick off remembrances of the “Steagles,” which combined the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh franchises in 1943 when multiple players from each team joined the military during World War II. Each club was so shorthanded that they were unable to field a full squad on their own, so they combined resources.

Beyond the field, Pennsylvania provided one-fifth of global steel production during the war. Yes. Our state, which composes 0.15% of the global population, powered 20% of global steel production during that critical conflict. We punch above our weight.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is right to remind visitors that this is the place where freedom was born, where the ideals that catalyzed our country were put down to parchment.

We hit well above average in other ways, too, as early adopters and first inventors.

So, what would the game look like?

The momentum is Philly’s, with a Super Bowl win in recent memory, and well along in preparations to host the 2026 World Cup during America’s 250th birthday. Pittsburgh — though we Philadelphians hate to admit it — builds from a longer legacy of championships, tied for the most Super Bowl wins ever.

But let’s keep our eyes on the ball: Pennsylvania’s greatness.

Philly launched America’s first public library, med school, and art museum. Pittsburgh pioneered communications with the first newspaper west of the Alleghenies, the first commercial theater, and the first commercial radio station. The polio vaccine was developed at the University of Pittsburgh, and the first computer was created at the University of Pennsylvania.

There are few better ways to showcase top talent than through a Quaker State Super Bowl.

Carnegie Mellon attracted the international talent that led to the creation of Duolingo, now a Pittsburgh-based company with a net worth of nearly $15 billion. Immigrants continue to add dynamism in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia, too. But it’s not only immigrants — it’s our spirit of collaboration.

We all develop opportunities at the intersections among excellent institutions and a hardworking, creative culture. Penn is No. 1 in intellectual property licensing revenue. Outside Erie, Penn State Behrend has the top plastics training lab in the country.

Our diverse powerhouse of an economy transcends hardwoods, mushrooms, apples, and chocolates, over to tech innovation, life sciences, and manufacturing. When compared with independent nations, Pennsylvania is home to the 19th largest economy in the world. And we need the world to know because our educational institutions, businesses, and innovation thrive on top talent.

The Keystone State and the Breadbasket of the Revolution, Pennsylvania is in the middle of everything. Global finance flows from New York City to our north, international diplomacy courses through Washington, D.C., to the south. We are sandwiched among the most densely populated parts of North America, within a day’s drive (500 miles) of 40% of the U.S. population and 60% of the Canadian population. Unlike some of the places we are strategically close to, we are a great place to live — and often more affordable.

When we extend the Pennsylvania brand worldwide, we will continue to recruit and educate the best students across a range of industries, colleges, and universities. A network of Philadelphia leaders is now promoting educational opportunities across the Philly region, but Team Pennsylvania would benefit from a shared recruitment strategy, too.

We punch above our weight.

Pennsylvania currently educates about 50,000 international students a year. They make their homes here, shopping in groceries, dining in restaurants, buying clothes, and visiting local businesses — contributing more than $2 billion to the Pennsylvania economy. With our strategic location, strong history, and diverse higher education landscape, we are poised to continue growing our economy with top U.S. and international talent.

There are few better ways to showcase top talent than through a Quaker State Super Bowl.

When our strengths are clear, recognized, and aligned, new businesses develop. Last year, a Canadian company opened a plant in Williamsport, in part because of a continuous stream of skill development at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Hey, if the Eagles and Steelers do make it to the Super Bowl, maybe the NFL will let us host the game in Beaver Stadium.

Fly, Steagles, fly.

Eric Hartman volunteers as vice president for Higher Education Outreach on the board of the Pennsylvania Council for International Education. He works as executive director of the Haverford College Center for Peace and Global Citizenship.