Rowdy Eagles fans celebrating their team’s overwhelming victory — and upcoming Super Bowl appearance — brought downtown Philadelphia to a halt on Sunday night as thousands took to the streets.
Despite being blocked by the city administration almost a square mile around City Hall and smearing its poles in hopes of scaring off fans, Videos via social media showed them stopping the traffic, climb traffic light and wreak havoc after their team’s 31-7 win over San Francisco.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw had already done so pleaded with residents: “Remember — climbing greased poles is no challenge for reality TV shows!” But it was no use.
In one particularly worrying incident, fans outside Philadelphia City Hall even rode on the tailgate of an ambulance as it attempted to transport an unconscious person through the crowd and to the hospital.
In another perilous situation, more than a dozen Eagles fans fell through the roof of a bus stop they had climbed moments before, although it remains unclear if any of them sustained injuries as a result of their fall.
“I guess they didn’t grease the rods well enough,” said Stephanie Far, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, who overheard her at the crime scene.
Urging fans to celebrate “joyfully, safely, and respectfully” after the Eagles’ win, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney issued this statement:
“Congratulations to Jeff Lurie, Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni and all the coaches, players and staff of this year’s NFC Champions – our Philadelphia Eagles! This has been an energetic season from the start and we’re excited to see the Eagles fly to the Super Bowl. As a lifelong Philadelphian and mayor of this great city, I’m thrilled to see fans of all ages and neighborhoods celebrate side-by-side with pride and excitement. This is a wonderful night and I ask the people of Philadelphia to celebrate joyfully, safely and respectfully.
“And remember: it’s a Philly thing.”
Police and cleaners were able to drive crowds out of the Broad Street area just before 10pm, with photos released by local reporters showing desolate streets littered with beer cans and other rubbish.
It’s not the first taste of the city’s sports-related chaos, either — widespread reports of rioting and looting, and dozens of reports of property damage, followed the Eagle’s Super Bowl win in February 2018.
According to the Washington Post, fans have overturned cars on several streets, set furniture on fire, knocked down stoplights, smashed windows and scaled City Hall gates.
The team will play the winner of Sunday night’s matchup between the Bengals and Chiefs in the Super Bowl on February 12.