BYE BYE, BIRDS

Instant reactions to Super Bowl LVII from the streets of Philadelphia

Thousands gathered downtown after the game, celebrating the season and mourning missed opportunities

CALEB CRAIN

Sports Editor

As the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl LVII champions, crowds gathered throughout Philadelphia to mourn a season where the Eagles were so close to their second Super Bowl victory. Instead, the Chiefs have their second championship in four years, while the Eagles remain at one.

Thousands milled around Center City soon after the final whistle blew and defeat was in hand. The mood was largely somber and bitter as those who had been watching the game downtown spilled out of bars and into the streets.

Many students had been watching the Super Bowl at various locations around campus. Several college houses hosted watch parties, and the University sponsored an event at Houston Hall, which was attended by hundreds of students and staff members.

At the events, students described how this Eagles season brought them all together.

“I consider Philadelphia my new home for these four years,” College sophomore Jake Maeng said from Lauder College House. “I just like to see everyone rally around the Eagles.” Downtown, hundreds of police officers were present to control the crowd and deter violence. Preparations had been underway for days, with the city greasing light poles and Broad Street, closed to traffic for several blocks around City Hall.

Of course, these efforts were designed for a celebratory crowd. Instead, those in Center City seemed to have little interest in climbing poles, preferring instead to keep two feet on the ground. Sirens and chants of “F**k the Chiefs” provided the soundtrack for the dejected crowd.

While most in attendance were peaceful, elements of the crowd turned violent, with fights breaking out and bottles being smashed.

The game was tight throughout, with the Eagles leading for much of the first half. But the Chiefs offense was ruthless in the second half, with Patrick Mahomes, who was named the game’s MVP, making plays to set up a gamewinning field goal.

Much of the anger was directed at the referees, with one person downtown, who declined to be named, screaming to the crowd “that ref can rot in hell.”

For students who supported the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday’s result made up for the insults they’d received over the past two weeks.

“I totally would have loved to have days off [following an Eagles win], but not more than I

See EAGLES, page 7

Turn