Three fan-friendly suggestions for the Philadelphia Eagles
On the field, the Philadelphia Eagles fans have had plenty to cheer about in recent years. Off the field, things could be better. Philly fans can be a fickle bunch, but no one can argue with these suggestions.
Open Training Camp for Fans
Not too long ago, Eagles fans (including yours truly) would plan their summer vacations around training camp. The team held camp at West Chester University from 1980-1995 and at Lehigh University from 1996-2012.
The camps were always popular and well-attended. According to team president Don Smolenski, the Eagles drew anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 fans a day at Lehigh and 20,000 per day when they signed Terrell Owens in 2004.
Citing the convenience of more familiar surroundings, then-head coach Chip Kelly moved camp back to Philadelphia in 2013. Since then the Eagles have held an open practice for fans at Lincoln Financial Field each year, but the experience isn't the same.
The Eagles’ practice facility boasts an 8,000-square-foot workout facility, a 189-seat auditorium and three 100-yard practice fields. Would it be too much to put some bleachers out on some of those fields?
Give Out Some Swag
NFL tickets have never been cheap and going to an Eagles game is about to get even more expensive. The team hasn’t raised prices, but according to ticketsmarter.com, tickets on the secondary market are up 179% from last year.
With over 80,000 fans already on the waiting list for season tickets, the secondary market remains the only option for many fans. Knowing their fans spend so much money on tickets, would it kill the team to give away some merchandise?
Across the street, the Philadelphia Phillies will give away more than 14 items in 2023, including four bobblehead figures. Eagles fans deserve a bobblehead, don’t they head coach Nick Sirianni?
Go Kelly Green
Eagles fans have been begging the team to bring back Kelly green for years, and thanks to relaxed uniform rules, they’ll see their beloved color with alternate jerseys for 2023. It’s a great move, and long overdue, but team owner Jeffrey Lurie never should have changed the color in the first place.
Midnight green was fine for 1996, but so were mullets, Zubaz pants and the Spice Girls. It’s time to give the fans what they want, and what they really, really want is a full-time return to Kelly green.
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