Eagle eyes: Fans cheer first 2018 glimpse of Super Bowl champs at practice

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles fans were in a celebratory mood outside and inside of Lincoln Financial Field in the late afternoon and early evening Sunday.

There was a new football season around the corner and a Super Bowl championship that still has Eagles rooters giddy.

As usual, it was love at first sight.

Sunday’s practice at Lincoln Financial Field provided the initial opportunity for most fans to get a Birds-eye view of their cherished Eagles, and one crew of Delawareans wasn’t going to miss it.

“Our family is from Philly,” said Daniel Biddle of Clayton, who was sporting a Carson Wentz No. 11 jersey as the crew tailgated before stadium gates opened. “We’ve got to stay true to our team.

“It’s a big weight off our shoulders,” he added of last February’s 41-33 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. “It’s like, yeah, we finally got it, you know? There’s nothing more we can do besides get another ring and keep getting them.”

Later, inside the stadium, fans would serenade Wentz with chants of “MVP! MVP!” as he walked onto the field before the two-hour practice session started. Fans also gave coach Doug Pederson a huge ovation.

When it ended, Wentz was among players who reached up to sign autographs for fans who leaned over from the first row.

“Carson’s great,” said Jordan Terry of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, after Wentz signed his flag and an Eagles helmet. “He’s a really Godly man, supports that. I love that about him. We need a good leader in Philadelphia.

“It’s great being out, great support, great team,” Terry added of the festive night. “Definitely a different atmosphere after the Super Bowl win.”

Jim DiBenedictis’s face was glowing after offensive lineman Jason Peters autographed a framed photograph of Lincoln Financial Field.

“It’s always great when people treat you with respect,” he said of Peters. DiBenedictis had never attended an Eagles game or practice, but came to Sunday’s.

That made it a special day.

“Looks pretty good,” he said of the stadium. “First time for the game and first time for the stadium.”

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Biddle’s 69-year-old father, E.A., was getting his first peek at Lincoln Financial Field.

Rob Thompson of Newark is a Carolina Panthers fan first, he said, but also roots for Eagles, regularly attends games and was wearing a Randall Cunningham No. 12 jersey.

“I love what they did. Exciting,” he said. “Close to home. Love it.”

Joining the Biddles and Thompson was their friend Da-Ron Burton of Smyrna. A Patriots fan, Burton was along because he’d lost a bet but was also enjoying the fun.

“I’m a man of my word,” said Burton, who also has to attend an Eagles game. “I love football.”

The Eagles open their preseason schedule Thursday night at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have their second and final open practice Saturday.

Estimated attendance Sunday was 40,000, according to the Eagles. Tickets were free but a limited number was made available and they went fast. 

Sitting several rows from the end zone, Nic Boone of Dover waved a Super Bowl flag that he purchased at the Deptford Mall in New Jersey Sunday on his way to the event after staying with friends Saturday at Rowan University.

Calling himself a “die-hard Eagles fan,” Boone said he wasn’t going to miss Sunday’s gathering.

“The cool thing is it’s free and we got some really good seats,” said Boone, sitting with friends two rows behind one end zone.

Winning the Super Bowl, Boone added, “means everything to Eagles fans. We’ve been waiting for so long for this. It meant the world to me. I cried tears of joy when they won. It was the best night of my life.”

Boone then expressed a common belief that was prevalent Sunday.

“We’ve gotta go back-to-back,” he said.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.