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Eagles Cut Player Who Became Fan Favorite With Super Bowl Parade Behavior

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 7:24 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles have been riding high over the past week and a half after taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Following the team's 40-22 blowout over the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champs, the Eagles celebrated in style with a massive parade in Philadelphia. While plenty of players made the most of their moment, one offensive lineman decided to go the entire parade - in sub-freezing temperatures - without a shirt on.

Slamming pieces of pizza, and perhaps a few beverages along the way, said offensive lineman became a folk hero in one afternoon following the team's latest title.

The man front and center of the parade photograph is none other than Nick Gates, who as fans pointed out, was having the time of his life.

"Nick Gates will be remembered forever in Philadelphia for two things: 1) Negating Will Shipley’s epic first rushing TD of his NFL career with a holding penalty 2) Going shirtless for the Super Bowl LIX victory parade," one Eagles writer pointed out.

Unfortunately for Gates, his run with the Eagles came to an end on Tuesday afternoon.

"The Eagles released offensive lineman Nick Gates on Tuesday," the team said in a statement. "Gates was signed by the Eagles during Training Camp as a veteran insurance option with 41 career regular-season and playoff starts across four of the five starting offensive line positions before arriving in Philadelphia."

Gates entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska before eventually became a captain for the New York Giants before suffered a devastating lower leg injury in 2021. He went on to sign with the Washington Commanders before joining the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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