The Quick Report

10 Reasons Why People Hate the Philadelphia Eagles

Ah, the Philadelphia Eagles — a team that inspires passionate love and, let’s face it, just as much hate. Whether it’s their fan base, their relentless drive, or their infamous underdog story, the Eagles know how to stir up some serious emotions. 

So, here are 10 reasons why people might harbor some strong feelings about the Philadelphia Eagles. But, hey, we can’t help but love them a little too, right?

1. The “Midnight Green” Mayhem

Jalen Hurts
Photo by All-Pro Reels

Look, we all know it’s not just green, it’s a very specific shade of green—Midnight Green. It’s like if forest green and neon green had a wild night together. It’s bold. It’s in your face. And it’s just a little too much for some.

2. The “Philly Special” – Let’s Talk About It

Nick Foles
Openverse

Remember that time the Eagles pulled off the trick play of all trick plays to win the Super Bowl? The “Philly Special” is the stuff of legend, and it stings a little. Why? Because it was perfect. It was so good that it left other teams staring at the screen like, “We could never.” We’re all still bitter about that.

3. Eagles Fans Have… Strong Opinions

Philadelphia Eagles
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You’ve probably heard it by now. Eagles fans don’t hold back. They’re loud, passionate, and sometimes a little bit aggressive. But you know what? It’s a two-way street. It’s fun to heckle a bit, unless you’re on the receiving end of a “let’s go Eagles!” chant. Which, honestly, probably explains the deep-rooted rivalry between the Eagles and just about every other fan base.

4. The Christmas Day Snowball Incident

eagles fan
Openverse

This one’s an oldie but a goodie. Back in the day, Eagles fans threw snowballs at Santa Claus during a Christmas game. Yes, at Santa Claus. The fact that they literally booed St. Nick is just one of those things you can’t unhear. It’s almost like the Eagles’ brand was born in that moment of pure chaos.

5. The Eagles’ Swagger

Jalen Hurts
Openverse

No one does confidence like the Eagles. Whether it’s Jalen Hurts strutting onto the field or the team’s infamous pregame rituals, they walk around like they own the place. Maybe it’s all the cheesesteaks, maybe it’s the recent Super Bowl win, but there’s no denying that they’ve got some serious swagger. And sometimes, that’s just hard to handle.

6. Nick Foles: The Super Bowl MVP We Didn’t Know We Needed

Nick Foles
Wikipedia

Nick Foles was a backup quarterback who somehow became a Super Bowl MVP. It was like a Disney movie plot unfolding in real-time. The rest of the NFL sat back and said, “Wait, what?!” It’s the ultimate underdog story that just so happens to be an Eagles story. If you’re not rooting for that, we don’t know what to tell you.

7. The “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care” Mentality 

eagles fan
Openverse

The Eagles fanbase is unapologetically themselves. They’ve got this chip-on-the-shoulder, “We’ll prove you wrong” mentality, and it’s hard to ignore. Other fanbases have tried to mock the Eagles’ cockiness, but let’s face it, they wear it like a badge of honor. They may not be your favorite, but at least they’re authentic about it.

8. The Never-Ending “Linc” Rivalry

Lincoln Field
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Oh, Lincoln Financial Field, or “The Linc” for short. It’s the place where Eagles fans go to be Eagles fans, whether they’re winning or losing. They’re like a big, rowdy, green-clad family. The rivalry with every other team that comes to town? Intense. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you think twice about sitting near the Eagles’ section if you don’t have thick skin.

9. The Fightin’ Spirit

Eagles fan
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Eagles fans aren’t afraid to fight for their team, literally or figuratively. This passion sometimes goes a little overboard, but it also reflects the heart and soul of the Eagles themselves. They’re gritty, they’re scrappy, and they’re always willing to get into the trenches (even if it means having a “heated discussion” in the stands).

Read More: Ranking the 15 Best Rookies from the 2024 NFL Season

10. The Constant Underestimated Underdog

Saquon Barkley
Wikipedia

Let’s not forget that the Eagles have made a habit of being the underdog, and that, in turn, makes them one of the most exciting teams to watch. The whole “no one believes in us” narrative works in their favor. They thrive when people count them out, and when they shock the world, it just fuels the fire. Who wouldn’t hate a team that consistently pulls off the impossible?

Read More: The 11 Best Rivalries in the NFL