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Bert Bell and Lud Wray, co-owners of the
Frankford Yellow Jackets, an inactive NFL franchise since
midway through the 1931 season, were granted permission to
reactivate the club on July 9, 1933, under a new name, the
Philadelphia Eagles. Neither the Eagles nor the NFL officially
regards the two franchises as the same, citing the aforementioned
period of dormancy; however, some observers believe the two
teams should be treated as one.
The
Eagles struggled mightily at first, not even so much as managing
a single winning season until 1943, when they temporarily
merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers to form a team known as
"the Phil-Pitt Steagles" (this unusual arrangement
being due to World War II). But then things quickly turned
around: Led by running back Steve Van Buren, the Eagles reached
the NFL title game in each of the last three years of the
1940s, winning two of the contests. Their next appearance
in a league championship game would take place in 1960, with
quarterback Norm Van Brocklin and linebacker Chuck Bednarik
leading the offense and defense, respectively (Bednarik was
also the last NFL player to play both offense and defense,
lining up at center when the offense had the ball). The Eagles
won this game, 17-13 over the Green Bay Packers, which was
played at Franklin Field on December 26, 1960.
The 2004 season began with a bang as Owens caught three touchdown
passes from McNabb in their season opener against the New
York Giants. Owens would end up with 1,200 receiving yards
and 14 touchdown receptions, although his season ended early
with an ankle injury on December 19, 2004 against the Dallas
Cowboys. The team would end up with a regular season record
of 13-3, which gave the team their fourth straight NFC East
division title, their fifth straight playoff appearance, a
first-round playoff bye, and homefield advantage in the playoffs.
McNabb had his finest season to date, passing for 3,875 yards
and 31 touchdowns, throwing only 8 interceptions. This made
him the first quarterback in NFL history to throw more than
30 TD passes and less than 10 INTs in a given season.
The
Philadelphia Eagles are well known for their futility in National
Football Conference Championship games since the 2001 season.
In 2001, the Eagles fell to the St. Louis Rams 29-24 in St.
Louis in the NFC Championship Game. The next season, the Eagles
hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Veteran's Stadium and were
heavy favorites. However, the Eagles lost 27-10. In 2004,
the Eagles hosted the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial
Field, but the Panthers advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII by
the score of 14-3.
The
Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 on January 23, 2005
with home-field advantage; winning the NFC Championship game
for the 2004 season. This was their fourth straight NFC Championship
game appearence. It should be noted that this is the same
score by which the Eagles lost Super Bowl XV, and their bid
against the Buccaneers in 2002.
Perhaps the most famous (many would say infamous) example
of the zealousness of Eagles' fans is the Santa Claus Incident,
during which angry fans booed and threw snowballs at a man
dressed as Santa at a game in 1968.
Founded:
in 1933 by co-owners Bert Bell and Lud Wray.
Home Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field (2003-)
Previous Home venues: Veterans Stadium (1971-2002),
Franklin Field (1958-1970), Connie Mack Stadium (1940-1957),
Municipal (later renamed John F. Kennedy Stadium) (1936-1939),
and Baker Bowl (1933-1935).
Uniform Colors: midnight green (jade green),
black, silver and white
Helmet design: a white wing on a green helmet.
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Arizona
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