Andy Reid couldn’t win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia despite coming tantalizingly close, an undeniable fact which some will never forgive.
But as head coach in Kansas City, Reid has the chance to accomplish what he couldn’t in 14 seasons with the Eagles as his team takes on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
Combined with Philly’s many other connections to the Chiefs — plus the potential beef that exists when it comes to SF — it only makes sense to pull for Big Red this Sunday.
Here’s seven reasons Philly fans should root for Kansas City to take home the 2020 Lombardi Trophy.
The Reid years were actually pretty good
Six division championships. Five conference titles. What’s that about not knowing what you have till it’s gone?
Though the Birds missed two consecutive postseasons near the end of his tenure, Reid was a solid leader through most of his time in Philadelphia — despite his infuriating style of clock management (or lack thereof). Proof is in the numbers: with 130 Ws, he won more than twice as many games as any other Eagles coach in history.
Plus, he obviously gets us. On the city’s infamous proclivity for booing, “If you can withstand the pressure of Philadelphia, then you become a Philadelphian,” Reid said this week from Miami.
Merrill Reese says so
If the “voice of the Eagles” says to support another team, who are we to argue? The veteran WIP sportscaster has been calling Philly football games since 1977, making him the longest-serving play-by-play announcer in the NFL.
On Friday, Reese posted he was excited about the prospect of watching the Chiefs’ phenom QB Patrick Mahomes, and that “Rooting for Andy Reid is easy.”
Iconoclastic South Philly bar deserves it
It takes bravery to even profess your loyalty to a team other than the Eagles when you’re surrounded by Philly fans, but to devote a whole bar to one of the enemies? That’s an act of pure chutzpah.
The ownership of Big Charlie’s Saloon has been doing it for more than four decades. Since the 1970s, ever since late founder Charlie Stacio won a bet on Kansas City, the tavern at 11th and McKean has been Chiefs territory — and that kind of die hard dedication deserves a win.
Jason Kelce’s brother
Eagles center Jason Kelce became the breakout star of Philly’s Super Bowl win after the heartfelt, rousing (NSFW) speech he gave from the Art Museum steps during the victory parade. It’d be pretty satisfying to see him so overcome with emotion again — which there’s little doubt will happen if the Chiefs pull it off.
Why? Kelce’s baby brother Travis is a tight end for Kansas City. Just two years apart in age, the duo grew up together in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and are still extremely close.
There’s even a bobblehead commemorating the Pro Bowler siblings.
LeSean McCoy wants to retire an Eagle
Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy has had his share of public squabbles in Philly.
The former Eagles starter, who was drafted onto the team in 2009, caught major flack for leaving a 20-cent tip at a Northern Liberties restaurant during his last year here. After he was traded to Buffalo, he returned on visit and got into a physical fight with off-duty police officers outside an Old City bar.
But it turns out that Shady, who holds the Eagles franchise record for rushing with 6,792 total yards, considers himself a Philadelphian at heart. During a press conference last week, he said he wanted to retire as an Eagle.
Lots of other former Eagles are on the Chiefs
NFL rosters move around a lot, so it’s not surprising some former Eagles are currently suiting up for Kansas City. What is notable is how many — although you can credit Reid with purposely bringing some of them in.
In addition to McCoy, at least eight players and coaches have been on the Birds’ payroll at some point in the past couple decades, according to NJ.com. That includes Stephen Wisniewski, an instrumental part of Philly’s Super Bowl win.
The Niners appropriated Boyz II Men
It’s better to be a booster than a hater, but in the negative column for San Francisco is the horror Philly fans felt seeing Boyz II Men dressed in 49ers gear.
The Philadelphia hip-hop legends were tapped to sing the national anthem at Levi’s Stadium, kicking off the NFC Championship game that ended up sending the Niners to the Big Game.
Sorry, but “Motown San Francisco” just doesn’t have the same ring. Chiefs Kingdom, go get some.
