Nice piece, Les. Some of what you touched upon struck me after Sunday’s game. Making it to 2 Super Bowls in 3 years was certainly not something I had ever expected to experience with the Eagles. I started following the team in 1979 when I was 9, and the wait between Super Bowls XV and XXXIX seemed interminable, and I think that was part of why the loss to the Patriots stung even more. The 2017 team was special, but that roster wasn’t as complete as the current team (or even the 2022 team). Even though there’s a reasonable chance (barring injuries and the loss of key players) that this team can return to the Super Bowl in the near future, I really hope that they can take advantage of the opportunity at hand. Their roster is more complete than Kansas City’s, though having Mahomes (and Reid/Spagnuolo) on the other side makes me uncomfortable.

I remember the 1989 team was 10-4. They had beaten the Giants in the 91-yard punt game and headed towards 2nd straight NFC East title and a 1st round bye. They went to New Orleans for MNF against the crappy Saints. They played like shit and lost 30-20, lost the division to the Giants, had to play the Wild Card against the Rams. It wasn’t sold out and I got tickets (for like $20, honestly) with my sister’s boyfriend and went, and they played like absolute garbage. Lots of Izel Jenkins getting burnt – good old Toast himself.

Then 1990 comes and everyone’s holding out in training camp as usual because cheapo Braman wouldn’t pay anyone, and they started 1-3 and never had a chance of catching the Giants. Another home Wild Card loss and Buddy was gone.

We’re lucky to have your articles here. Thanks Les for another wonderfully written piece.

“That all felt like another world, compared to the grimy planet where the Eagles disappointed fans in an ugly concrete bowl with a green parking lot for a playing surface“ is a great line

Eagles’ Super Bowl futility is linked to overall Philly sports championship futility. Look at how many times the Flyers made the Stanley Cup finals—only to lose. Same with postseason collapses of the Phillies. Sixers are harder to pin down because they’re best teams since the 80s peaked around the same time dynasties emerged (which isn’t dissimilar from what happened to the Flyers).

So it’s been a case of good, but not quite good enough, and for whatever reason, Philly sports teams struggled to deliver that final piece for 25+ years until the Phillies won in 2008. Then, Rollins said it was about having a swagger.

I thought the Eagles were going to win two years ago. I think this team is probably the most talented roster they’ve ever had, with stars and emerging stars and they’ve got the gel factor working for them! That was key back in 2018. Wentz went down but everyone else stepped up and made it about the team and winning over individual egos. Seeing that again is GREAT.

…but they’re going up against a dynasty with top 5 QB, TE, and coach of all time.

*Deep breaths* I’m trying to just learn to appreciate the ride. Look to the Bills, Lions, Chargers, Vikings, Browns, Jets, etc., and you see how rare and precious these moments are.

Still, I’d love to see another parade down Broad Street and hear another Philly athlete give a passionate speech while incorporating classic Philly vernacular (I mean the F-word, but jawn is also nice).

This was an enjoyable read, Les, thank you. I used to live and breathe the articles by you, Sheridan, Ford, Hoffman and Domo. I was 3 in 1980 so I wasn’t even aware of their Super Bowl loss that season, and the Eagles organizational ineptitude was only matched by that of the Phillies over the next 20 formative years of my life. That’s why I’m pinching myself, as you are, given the current state of these franchises.

I want my wife and kids to read this, so they can understand why I’m an emotional mess whenever we discuss 2017. I like to think my son is going to have much more fun rooting for the birds than I did as a kid. Good stuff Les.

Thanks, Les. Can’t believe you started covering the team 25 years ago.

I did love a Buddy Ryan led defense in Phily and Randall breaking 3rd down coverages and linebacker’s hearts with his insane scrambling before QB scrambles became the thing.

If entertaiment was the yardstick, not Super Bowls, those Buddy Ryan led teams were true winners.

Anyway, as always, a great, enjoyable read…thank you for the article Les.

Les, great to see you still writing, LOVED this article. Enjoy the SB!

Reading the Les Bowen perspective is like hearing from an old friend who finds the humor in life when things don’t always go the way we had hoped. I also have wishful thinking for Brandon Graham suiting up. But I would make the argument that Brandon wearing the uniform on the sideline would have more impact on the game than Bryce Huff actually stepping onto the field. Mic’d up Brandon is what Superbowl LIX really needs!

In 1978, sitting in my dorm room, I watched the Eagles blow a 13-0 lead to Atlanta and Mike Michel miss an extra point and 34-year field goal. I was just thrilled out of my mind that the Eagles actually were in the playoffs. 3 SBs in 8 years? Would never have believed it.
(Post game joke was Michel was so distraught that he attempted suicide with a gun to his head, but he missed wide right)

When Saquon took that first handoff to the house, it took me back to Wilbert Montgomery doing the same thing in the 1980 season conference title game. That was the day I became an Eagles fan.

Les, this won’t make you feel any younger but this article echoes the sentiment of my dad throughout my childhood. I remember him touching on everything you’ve written here about the past: the Super Bowl where Jim Plunkett had the game of his life, the Fog Bowl, the best defense Buddy Ryan brought up only to have Jerome Brown pass all too early.
He brought me into this fandom, and I got to experience similar childhood heartbreak: the last game at the Vet, Ricky Manning Jr., and the Patriots Super Bowl win* over us.
Foles and Graham securing a trophy for this city was the only thing outside of family happiness that my father wanted to see before passing, and now he may see another one.
Let’s hope our tales of fandom to future generations include just a little bit more sunshine through the clouds!

My baby brother is 13 years younger (and a Bengals fan), so he started paying attention to the NFL in the late 90s. While I’m still scarred by catastrophes past, the Eagles have pretty much always been a championship contender in his mind.