It had “fairy tale story” written all over it. A team that went 7-9 last season, had modest expectations for this season, yet went all the way to the Super Bowl, with injuries plaguing “franchise” players in Carson Wentz and Jason Peters.  

Did I mention they did so with a backup quarterback in Nick Foles? 

Poetic justice was unfolding in Minnesota. A rematch 13 years later pitting the underdogs nobody gave a chance to going toe-to-toe with the evil dynasty.

It was the improbable quarterback versus perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time, aided with perhaps the best head coach of all time. Nick Foles versus Tom Brady. Super Bowl 52.  

And I get to say that I was there to see it.

The stadium was electric, filled with the atmosphere of a big game. Eagles fans took over U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, bringing the “E-A-G-L-E-S” chants and the intensity that Philly sports fans are known for.  

The stadium bled green.

Pink took center stage, singing the National Anthem as both sides prepared for kickoff. They honored military service members, including one who even performed the coin toss. Shockingly, the Patriots won the toss and deferred. Eagles would receive the ball first while the Patriots would get it after halftime. 

Fans and viewers around the country, probably even the world, were in for a game. Nervous anxiousness crept throughout the stadium for Eagles fans, hoping to win that first Lombardi Trophy. As for the Patriot fans around me, it seemed like another Sunday afternoon game.  

I wanted so badly for our Eagles to shut these guys up.  

The entire game felt like a heavyweight fight as both offenses traded blows on offense. Foles’ first touchdown connected with Alshon Jeffery on a ridiculous 34-yard catch, putting the Eagles up 9-3. The next scoring driving was a touchdown run from the former Patriot LeGarrette Blount for 21 yards.  

The Patriots weren’t down for long, however, as running back James White ran into the end zone for a score. The final play before halftime went to the Eagles that might go down as the “gutsiest play in Super Bowl history” and left the Pats defense scratching the heads.  

On a fancy gadget play, Corey Clement received the ball and flipped it to Trey Burton who then lobbed it into the end zone to a wide-open Nick Foles. Thus the “Philly Special” was born.  

Once again, it was Nick Foles who called the play.  

As the second quarter ended, I slummed back into my seat, mentally drained from a stellar first half. My heart racing and beating out of my chest; my adrenaline was pumping. Meanwhile, halftime preparations commenced but it was blatantly clear the fans wanted to see this game continue, not Justin Timberlake. 

Although the Eagles led 22-12, I knew, I expected, the Patriots to come back and take the lead. In the third quarter, every throw from Brady was a good pass, ending up in the hands of either Rob Gronkowski or Danny Amendola. Their scoring was exacerbated by the referees calling silly penalties on the Eagles. I witnessed first-hand how rigged the NFL was.  

Then the fourth quarter came. The Patriots took the lead 33-32. The Eagles had scored off a 27-yard touchdown from Corey Clement followed by a field goal. Worried Philly fans watched on as the Patriots took the lead, beginning to think it might be the end. Not yet. 

Foles connected with Zach Ertz on a beautiful pass followed by an athletic grab as Ertz went to the ground. Eventually ruled a touchdown, the referees reviewed the play to the dismay of many Philly fans. By that point, it was the second reviewed scoring call in the game and Philly had just about enough. However, there was still two minutes left on the clock. 

Cue Brandon Graham.  

As Brady looked to deliver another long pass, Graham flew right into in Brady, forcing the fumble which was recovered by Derrick Barnett. The stadium ERUPTED.  

Brady sat stunned on the turf, the wheels turning in his head about what just unfolded. Bill Belichick looked on helplessly as Eagles fans preemptively began to celebrate. Foles and the offense proceeded to take the ball down the field, kicking a field goal and securing an eight-point lead. Now, it was time to end the game on defense. 

Brady threw incomplete pass after incomplete pass on the final drive. On the final play, he heaved the ball down the field; a “Hail Mary” attempt. The ball was swatted away by an Eagle as the game clock expired. The Philadelphia Eagles were Super Bowl champions for the first time ever.

“This is for you [Eagles fans]!!” the great Merrell Reese called.  

Experiencing that in person cannot compare to anything else. Witnessing your home team in the Super Bowl, much less them actually winning the whole thing, put me in absolute shock. Screaming at the top of my lungs, sheer joy overcame me. 

The rest of the Eagles team ran on to the field, while the Patriots (and their fans) ran away. White and green confetti and streamers rained down, fireworks erupted in the background, and the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy brought out to the field. 

Every Patriots fan around me had vanished while Eagles fans around us embraced and began to celebrate.  People pulled out their phones to capture the moment for years to come, some stood clapping, some kneeling down and crying, but everyone celebrating. The stadium filled with an unreal essence; there was no way this was happening but it was.  

A thousand miles away, back home, in a passionate city, Broad Street filled with legions of Philadelphians. Up and down Broad Street, people celebrated lighting fireworks in the streets, climbing lampposts and signs, flipping cars, breaking store windows, and jumping up and down dancing.  

They didn’t care. Their team had just won the Super Bowl.  

Back in Minnesota, Nick Foles met his destiny, becoming Super Bowl MVP. He represented another fairy tale within a fairy tale. After switching from team to team after his first Eagles run, Foles considered retirement feeling that he had lost his passion for football.  

He gave it another chance, joining the Eagles this past offseason as a backup quarterback. When Carson Wentz tore his ACL, no one gave him a shot as a possible starter in the playoffs. Not against the Falcons, not against the Vikings, and certainly not the Patriots.  

Now he stood atop an elevated stage, holding the coveted Lombardi Trophy while being named MVP after throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns.  

It is important we remember the reason the Eagles reached the Super Bowl this year: Carson Wentz. Had he been healthy, he easily would’ve won MVP of the league. He played exceptional every game, every snap, and showed how bright the future is for the city.  

Not only Carson but the coaching staff: Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz. Pederson’s play calling all season was nothing short of spectacular. The red zone efficiency, the 4th down conversions, and the best offense in the NFL.  

Congratulations Doug, you earned it. 

Jim Schwartz’s defense was just as stellar as its counterpart offense. The best pass-rush defense in the NFL, always putting pressure on quarterbacks, and helped by a strong secondary; Defense wins games and in some cases the Super Bowl.  

Finally, the last shout out should go to none other than the NFL Executive of the Year Howie Roseman. After regaining executive power once Chip Kelly was fired, Roseman proceeded to make bold moves to rebuild the franchise. 

First, he managed to trade draft picks with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Carson Wentz, whom the Eagles will build around for years to come. Then he managed to sign Alshon Jeffery, who wanted to play with Wentz, for a year before signing him to a five-year deal. 

His next moves included signing Patrick Robinson, former Patriots LeGarette Blount and Chris Long, Torrey Smith, Timmy Jernigan and Ronald Darby. His biggest move came in October when he traded with the Miami Dolphins for running back Jay Ajayi, who has been a focal point of the offense.  

Howie, job well done. 

The rest of the team joined together on the mini stage, each taking turns holding the Lombardi trophy. Jeffery was there, Ertz was there, Graham was there, everyone celebrating and no one could be happier for each other. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hoisted up the trophy as he thanked Eagles nation everywhere. 

The underdogs no one believed in had just won the biggest game in all of football. The New England Patriots, the dynasty, had toppled. Doug Pederson had out coached Bill freaking Bellichick. The Eagles dethroned the Pats in a final score of 41-33.  

It was more than just a win. It was something for the city of Philadelphia to be proud of. People who had been fans for generations, whose parents had been fans, and their parents, were visibly overcome with joy rejoiced in their team’s achievement. 

Super Bowl 52 will most likely go down as one of the best games ever. A game driven by explosive offenses, fueled with different stories, ending with the improbable champions the Eagles raising the Lombardi trophy. I am grateful to say that I was there to witness them win, a memory which will stick with me the rest of my life. 

Five days later, Philly threw the largest, craziest, and most insane Super Bowl parade ever which took place on none other than Broad Street. Millions of local fans and fans from all over the country showed, packing train stations and the streets. Eagles nation took over Philadelphia.  

The parade traveled all the way down Broad, featuring all the Eagles players and coaches. Chris Long dressed in his fur coat along with an Allen Iverson jersey while Jason Kelce decided to dress as a Mummer. Fans climbed on to lampposts once again and to rooftops to view the parade. It was Mardi Gras on Broad Street. 

The end of the parade was at the Philadelphia Art Museum. The entire Eagles team stood on the steps, the Lombardi trophy raised, as players energized the crowd and Jason Kelce delivered the most epic speech of all time. Confetti rained down on the millions of fans watching as fireworks lit up the afternoon sky.  

The Eagles, the city of Philadelphia, were now World Champions.