Thousands of Eagles fans gathered Sunday night at Frankford and Cottman avenues to celebrate the Eagles’ 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game.
Fans hope to be back at Frankford and Cottman in two weeks, in what would be a celebration of a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, in New Orleans.
Many neighbors walked to the celebration, while others drove to the intersection where fans have gathered after big wins by local pro sports teams for decades.
Drivers honked horns while passengers hung out of windows.
Trash trucks blocked traffic on Frankford Avenue from Bleigh Avenue to Wellington Street and on Cottman Avenue from Leon Street to Erdrick Street.
Philadelphia police were out in full force. A few people climbed light poles and shot off fireworks, while there is a video on Facebook of someone firing a few shots in the air with a gun. Northeast Detectives is investigating.
Fans waved flags, correctly spelled the E-A-G-L-E-S chant and greeted one another with, “Go Birds!”
Fans wore jerseys of some of the key players from the rout of the commanders – Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Lane Johnson – along with those of Eagles legends such as Nick Foles, who was the honorary captain on Sunday, presented owner Jeffrey Lurie with the NFC championship trophy on the field after the game and was the MVP when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII seven years ago. ••