PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Eagles fans turned up bright and early to tailgate ahead of the game on Sunday morning, with some fans celebrating much more than the best team in football.
“The first time I cried was the ’80 Super Bowl when the Raiders beat us,” said Dan McAuley, who has been an Eagles fan since the age of six.
The game became one of his all-time favorites before the team even took the field. The Vietnam veteran’s entire family surprised him on his 70th birthday.
“I went to help the bus driver get his truck off the highway and they were all aboard. I went there and there they were all,” he said.
In a sea of thousands of Eagles fans, Dan wasn’t the only one celebrating his big day with a tailgate.
“I turned 30 today, so it’s a good day. All my friends and family are having a good time here,” said Rob D’Adrea of Northeast Philadelphia. He boarded a bus to the stadium with 75 of his closest friends and family, bringing lots of games and lots of great food.
“We have smoked jerk chicken, we have smoked pull pork, baked mac and cheese here,” he said, showing off his spread, which is surely the centerpiece of any good Eagle tailgate.
“We got breakfast sandwiches, bacon egg and cheese, pork roll egg and cheese. We got tater tots and mimosas. The most important part, mimosas,” said Courtney Bartkowski of Ewing, New Jersey.
He and his friends started the day right. Eagles fans from far and wide wanted to show Tennessee why Philadelphia is the best football city.
“It’s a city like no other. Everyone has a good time when they come to Philly,” said Shelley Holt from Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
This helps Eagles fans cheer for the number one team in football. It’s the gift that keeps on giving to lifelong fans like Dan.
“I think this is the best team I’ve seen in a long time,” he said.
Dan’s actual birthday isn’t until January. Now that their party is over they are looking forward to another gift; An Eagles trip to the Super Bowl.
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