The Eagle Has Landed

"Where is the ball?" 

"It's on the ground."

"How much time is on the clock?"

" Zeros"

" Oh my god we did it. "

Essentially these were the words uttered by millions of Eagles fans throughout the Delaware Valley as an epic Super Bowl reached a triumphant conclusion for the hometown Philadelphia Eagles.

  In a blink of an eye a loyal fan base was rewarded for a lifetime of faith in a team that last won 57 years ago against a Vince Lombardi coached Green Bay Packers team.  Just like that they joined an elite fraternity of teams that call themselves Super Bowl Champions.  

As I sat and stood in my living room for over four hours with my wife and two sons I thought about all of the years of consistent support for the men who have adorned the Green and White over the last 39 years. 

 I thought about my late grandfather watching faithfully from his recliner, wearing his wool Eagles hat, cheering at times and swearing at times, depending on the success or failure of each play.  My grandmother was always by his side. A win today would be for them.

I thought about my uncle Freck in his 80's now who spent all those seasons at the Vet. Oh , the great stories he would tell about tailgates, 700 level brawls and seasons that featured both success and failure. He was there in 80 in New Orleans, the first time. A win today would be for him.

I thought about my late father in law Pete who joined me in the living room and at the stadium, as we experienced our share of agony and joy rooting for our beloved Eagles year after year. The brass ring always eluding us. A win today would be for him.

I thought about the Johnson's and our years of faithful support. I thought about how we passed our passion to our children. I thought about eating roast beef and meatball sandwiches and cheering on our Eagles. I thought about gut wrenching losses and epic wins. I thought about Scott and Susan, Jennifer and I watching our families grow up as each season passed and how we were yet to experience a Super Bowl win together. I thought about all of the games with just my son Peter and I and how much of a bond we had forged. I thought about how much of a diehard Philly fan he has become and how much it all would mean to him. I thought about how much Scott had taken a recent rooting interest and that made it all the more special. Today would be for us and our children.

I saw my family in front of me, Peter and Scott and Jennifer as we inched closer to the games conclusion. The possibility of a Super Bowl championship was moving closer to reality, with each possession, each score. I was up on my feet, back in the chair. I couldn't eat. Could this be the day? We lost the lead, deflation, we regained it, jubilation. Surrounded by my family, this was how it was supposed to be.

Precious ticks remained, the ball was in the air, then on the ground. The clock showed zeros. Victory in the Super Bowl was ours.  The Eagle that had flown for years had finally landed, delivering the end to years of suffering and a dream fulfilled.