Learn the Fearless Philadelphia Eagles since 1933 to winning a Super Bowl in 2017. Learn about some of the most notorious players, historical coaches and moments that made one of the most iconic NFL teams.
Founding and Early Years (1933–1940s)
- Philadelphia Eagles were started in 1933 when the NFL took away the franchise of the Frankford Yellow Jackets.
- Bert Bell, one of the most important figures in the history of NFL, participated in co-founding the team and became a first coach and owner of this team.
- In its first years of existence the team performed poorly, frequently ending up towards the bottom of the league table.
- First NFL playoff appearance – 1947, under coach Eddie Erdelatz.
Championship Era (1940s–1960s)
- The Eagles were successful in the late 1940s and they won two consecutive NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949.
- These teams were characterized by good defense and inventive tactics including the T-formation offense.
- The major stars of this period were such a Hall-of- Fame running back as Steve Van Buren.
- The years 1960s were years of both achievement and failure; the team had a hard time but it prepared the future of success.
The Broad street Bullies (1970s) and Rise to Prominence.
- During the 1970s, the Eagles got a name of the Broad Street Bullies because of their physical and rough form of playing.
- Dick Vermeil (1976-1982) was a coach who instilled discipline and intensity which saw the team reach the 1980 Super Bowl (Super Bowl XV) where they lost to the Oakland Raiders.
- There were also notable players who came to the fore like Ron Jaworski (QB), Wilbert Montgomery (RB) and Reggie White (DE) later on.
Struggles and Rebuilding (1980s–1990s)
- In the 1980s it had its good and bad times; the Eagles often failed to make the playoffs.
- In 1986 Buddy Ryan joined and brought in a brutal 46 Defense.
- With Ryan, the Eagles were in the NFC Championship Game in 1988 and 1989, losing both to the San Francisco 49ers.
- The 1990s were marked by reconstruction under coaches such as Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes with occasional appearance in the playoffs.
Andy Reid Era (1999–2012)
- In 1999, Andy Reid was brought in as coach and has made the Eagles a regular playoff team.
- The team also played five NFC Championship games and played Super Bowl XXX IX in 2005 and lost to the New England Patriots.
- Other popular players were Donovan McNabb (QB), Brian Westbrook (RB), Terrell Owens (WR), and Reggie White.
- However, Reid marked his tenure with offensive innovation, solid quarterback work and controlling the NFC East.
Chip Kelly and Transition Years (2013-2015)
- Chip Kelly, who had a reputation of fast-paced offense at Oregon, was the new head coach in 2013.
- In 2013, the Eagles took the NFC East but poor performance and roster problems saw Kelly leave in 2015.
Doug Pederson Era and 1 st Super Bowl Win (2016-2020)
- Last year, 2016, Doug Pederson was hired to do the head coach job.
- Carson Wentz, who emerged as a star quarterback was drafted by the Eagles.
- Super Bowl LII (2017 season): The Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 and won their first Super Bowl.
- Nick Foles, the backup quarterback, turned a hero during the playoffs and was awarded the super bowl MVP.
- The team was competitive during the reign of Pederson and Wentz was later traded because of injuries and performance problems.
Recent Years (2021–Present)
- In 2020, Jalen Hurts was brought in as the starting quarterback on the team and added a dual-threat factor.
- The Eagles are now back in playoff competition, going to Super Bowl LVII (2022 season) where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
- The team is still re-established around Hurts, effective offense line and defensive players.
Legacy and Culture
- The Eagles have been characterized by zealous fans commonly known as the “Eagles Nation”.
- The city of Philadelphia has a blue-collar reputation of toughness, grit, and resilience in its team.
- Competitors: Some of the most well-known competitors are the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and the Washington Commanders.
Conclusion
Started in 1933, as a descendant of the Frankford Yellow Jackets, the Philadelphia Eagles have battled and broken their way over decades of rudimentary hardships, heartaches, and victories to establish themselves as one of the most established football teams. Their story is an indication of not just the development of the game but also the nature of the city they signify, rough, ardent and ruthless.
Those hard times of the 1930s were replaced by the initial experience of greatness in the late 1940s, as Steve Van Buren led the Eagles to two consecutive NFL Titles and established a precedence of quality. Dick Vermeil led the Philadelphia team to the first ever Super Bowl appearance, bringing a culture of fearless defense and pure determination, through the bruising years of the 1970s, the Broad Street Bullies. The swagger Buddy Ryan teams of the 1980s led to the famous 46 Defense and the 1990 teams provided a foundation to future success even though the team was not consistent.
The dawning of the millennium decade brought in the Andy Reid era, an era of offensive innovation, consistent playoff appearances and a long-awaited Super Bowl appearance. Even though the team of Reid was deprived of eventual win, he created the winning persona and brought stars such as Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. The experimental move by Chip Kelly led to the arrival of Doug Pederson whose success was crowned by a momentous victory at the Super Bowl last February that saw Nick Foles, the backup of a quarterback, write one of the finest underdog stories in American football history.
Now the Eagles are flying with Jalen Hurts in the cockpit and the team is in the Super Bowl arena again in the 2022 season indicating that the franchise is nowhere near ending its quest to greatness. With one of the most dedicated and loyal fan followers in the NFL, the so-called Eagles Nation, Philadelphia is a character of perseverance, innovation, and heart.
The Eagles story is not only a football story but it is also a story of a city. Since the history of their grit and the blister of their blue-collar origins, all the way to the scream of victory in 2017 and farther, the Philadelphia Eagles represent a history of endurance and the creative courage of daring. Their wings are open to the future, which brings them a piece of history and the guarantee of championships in the future.
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