Philadelphia Eagles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philadelphia Eagles |
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| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | July 8, 1933 | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Midnight green, silver, black, white |
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| Fight song | "Fly, Eagles Fly" | ||||||||||||
| Mascot | Swoop | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Jeffrey Lurie | ||||||||||||
| CEO | Jeffrey Lurie | ||||||||||||
| President | Don Smolenski | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Howie Roseman | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Nick Sirianni | ||||||||||||
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| Team history | |||||||||||||
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| League / conference affiliations | |||||||||||||
National Football League (1933–present)
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| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 5
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Conference championships: 6
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Division championships: 16
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| Playoff appearances (31) | |||||||||||||
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The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team's home games are held at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles started in 1933, taking the place of the Frankford Yellow Jackets. Since then, they have made it to the playoffs 31 times and won 16 division titles. They won three NFL championships before the merger in 1970: in 1948, 1949, and 1960. The Eagles have also played in five Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl LII in 2017 and Super Bowl LIX in 2024.
Many Eagles players and coaches have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Some famous Eagles include Chuck Bednarik, Brian Dawkins, Reggie White, and Harold Carmichael.
The Eagles have strong rivalries with other teams. Their rivalry with the New York Giants is considered one of the oldest and most intense in the NFL. They also have big rivalries with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders. Their games against the Pittsburgh Steelers are called the "Battle of Pennsylvania" because both teams are from Pennsylvania.
Eagles fans are known for their passion and loyalty. The team has sold out every home game since the 1999 season. Jeffrey Lurie has owned the team since 1994.
Team History
Early Football in Philadelphia
Before the Eagles, there was a team called the Frankford Yellow Jackets. They were a strong team in the 1920s and even won the NFL championship in 1926. However, the Yellow Jackets went bankrupt in 1931.
Founding the Eagles (1933-1940)
After the Yellow Jackets left, the NFL wanted a new team in Philadelphia. In 1933, a group led by Bert Bell and Lud Wray bought the rights to a new team. They paid $3,500, which is like $67,000 today. They named the team the Philadelphia Eagles, inspired by the Blue Eagle symbol of a government program at the time.
The Eagles played their first game on October 15, 1933, losing 56–0 to the New York Giants. The team struggled for its first ten years. In 1935, Bert Bell came up with the idea for the annual college draft. This system, still used today, helps make the league fair by letting the worst teams pick the best college players first.
Winning the NFL Championships (1941-1969)
In 1940, Alexis Thompson became the owner, and he hired Greasy Neale as head coach. The team continued to struggle at first.
The Steagles (1943)
During World War II, many players went to serve in the military. In 1943, the Eagles combined with the Pittsburgh Steelers to form one team called the "Steagles". They finished the season with a winning record of 5–4–1. The merger was only for one season.
First NFL Titles (1948-1949)
In 1944, the Eagles had their first winning season, led by coach Greasy Neale and running back Steve Van Buren. They reached the NFL Championship game in 1947 but lost.
The Eagles returned to the championship in 1948. In a snowy game, they beat the Chicago Cardinals 7–0 to win their first NFL Championship. The only score was a touchdown run by Steve Van Buren.
In 1949, the Eagles won their second straight NFL Championship, beating the Los Angeles Rams 14–0. Steve Van Buren rushed for 196 yards in that game. Chuck Bednarik was drafted by the Eagles that year and became one of their most beloved players.
After the 1950 season, Greasy Neale retired. The team moved to Franklin Field in 1958, which had a much larger seating capacity.
The 1960 Championship
In 1958, the Eagles hired Buck Shaw as head coach and got quarterback Norm Van Brocklin. They improved quickly.
The 1960 season is very famous. Shaw, Van Brocklin, and Bednarik, all in their last season before retiring, led the team. On November 20, 1960, Bednarik made a famous tackle on Giants running back Frank Gifford, known as "The Hit". Gifford was knocked out and had to retire for a while.
On December 26, 1960, the Eagles faced Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers in the 1960 NFL Championship Game. The Eagles won 17–13, giving Lombardi his only championship game loss. Bednarik famously tackled Jim Taylor and stayed on top of him until the clock ran out.
New Owners and Stadiums (1969-1993)
In 1969, Leonard Tose bought the team for a record $16.155 million. In 1971, the Eagles moved to Veterans Stadium, a new, modern stadium.
Dick Vermeil Era (1976-1982)
Dick Vermeil became head coach in 1976. He worked hard to improve the team. In 1978, the Eagles had a famous play called "The Miracle at the Meadowlands". Herman Edwards returned a fumbled ball for a touchdown with 20 seconds left, winning the game 19–17 against the Giants.
In 1980, the Eagles had a great season. They beat the Dallas Cowboys 20–7 in the NFC Championship Game at Veterans Stadium. This sent them to their first Super Bowl XV.
In Super Bowl XV, the Eagles played the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders won 27–10. After the 1982 season, Vermeil left, saying he was "burned out."
Buddy Ryan Era (1986-1990)
In 1985, Norman Braman bought the team. In 1986, Buddy Ryan became head coach. He brought a tough attitude to the team. Quarterback Randall Cunningham became a star.
The Eagles made the playoffs in 1988 but lost to the Chicago Bears in a game known as the "Fog Bowl" due to heavy fog. The team had a very strong defense, known as "Gang Green," with players like Reggie White and Jerome Brown.
In 1989, the Eagles played two intense games against the Cowboys, known as the "Bounty Bowls." In 1990, they had another famous game against the Washington Redskins called the "the Body Bag Game" because of how many Redskins players were injured.
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Buddy Ryan was fired in 1991. In 1992, Jerome Brown died in a car accident, which was a big loss for the team.
Jeffrey Lurie Era (1994-Present)
In 1994, Jeffrey Lurie bought the Eagles for $185 million. He hired Ray Rhodes as head coach.
In 1995, the Eagles made the playoffs, beating the Detroit Lions 58–37. But they lost to the Cowboys in the next round.
In 1996, the Eagles changed their uniform colors from kelly green to a darker "midnight green."
Andy Reid Era (1999-2012)
Lurie hired Andy Reid as head coach in 1999. Reid drafted quarterback Donovan McNabb, who became a key player.
In 2000, the Eagles won a famous game against the Dallas Cowboys called the "Pickle Juice Game" because players drank pickle juice to stay hydrated in the extreme heat. The Eagles started to dominate the NFC East division.
From 2001 to 2004, the Eagles made it to the NFC Championship Game four years in a row. They lost in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
In 2004, the Eagles acquired star wide receiver Terrell Owens. They had a great season, finishing 13–3. They beat the Atlanta Falcons 27–10 in the NFC Championship to reach Super Bowl XXXIX.
In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Eagles faced the New England Patriots. The Patriots won 24–21 in a close game.
In 2010, the Eagles had a stunning comeback win against the New York Giants, scoring 21 points in the last eight minutes. This game is known as the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands". DeSean Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown to win the game 38–31.
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After the 2012 season, Andy Reid was fired after 14 seasons.
Chip Kelly Era (2013-2015)
Chip Kelly became the new head coach in 2013. The team had a successful season, winning the NFC East with a 10–6 record, led by quarterback Nick Foles. Foles threw 27 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions that season. Running back LeSean McCoy led the league in rushing yards.
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Kelly made some controversial player changes in 2015, trading away popular players like LeSean McCoy. He was fired before the end of the 2015 season.
Doug Pederson Era (2016-2020)
Doug Pederson was hired as head coach in 2016. The Eagles drafted quarterback Carson Wentz with the second overall pick.
Super Bowl LII Champions (2017)
The 2017 season was amazing. The team finished with a 13–3 record. However, starting quarterback Carson Wentz got injured late in the season. Backup quarterback Nick Foles took over.
Foles led the Eagles through the playoffs. They beat the Atlanta Falcons and then crushed the Minnesota Vikings 38–7 in the NFC Championship.
In Super Bowl LII, the Eagles faced Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The game was a high-scoring thriller. The Eagles won 41–33, earning their first Super Bowl title and their first championship since 1960!
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A famous play from the game was the "Philly Special". Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton on a trick play. Foles was named Super Bowl MVP.
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In 2018, the Eagles made the playoffs again. They won a Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears when the Bears' kicker missed a field goal that became known as the "Double Doink". The Eagles then lost to the New Orleans Saints.
In 2019, the Eagles won their division again but lost in the Wild Card round to the Seattle Seahawks. Carson Wentz left the game early with a concussion.
The 2020 season was tough, with many injuries. Rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts became the starter late in the season. Doug Pederson was fired after the season.
Nick Sirianni Era (2021-Present)
Nick Sirianni became the new head coach in 2021. The Eagles traded Carson Wentz and drafted wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
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Jalen Hurts was named the starting quarterback. The team improved throughout the 2021 season and made the playoffs, but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2022, the Eagles had a record-breaking season, starting 8–0 and finishing 14–3. They earned the top seed in the NFC. They routed the Giants and then beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. This sent them to Super Bowl LVII.
In Super Bowl LVII, the Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs and their former coach Andy Reid. It was a very close game, but the Eagles lost 38–35.
The Eagles started the 2023 season strong but struggled later on. They lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Super Bowl LIX Champions (2024)
The Eagles won Super Bowl LIX in 2024.
Championships
NFL Championships (Pre-Super Bowl Era)
| Season | Coach | Location | Opponent | Score | Record | |
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| 1948 | Greasy Neale | Shibe Park (Philadelphia) | Chicago Cardinals | 7–0 | 9–2–1 | |
| 1949 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles Rams | 14–0 | 11–1 | ||
| 1960 | Buck Shaw | Franklin Field (Philadelphia) | Green Bay Packers | 17–13 | 10–2 | |
| Total NFL Championships won: 3 | ||||||
Super Bowl Championships
| Season | Coach | Super Bowl | Location | Opponent | Score | Record |
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| 2017 | Doug Pederson | LII | U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis) | New England Patriots | 41–33 | 13–3 |
| 2024 | Nick Sirianni | LIX | Caesars Superdome (New Orleans) | Kansas City Chiefs | 40–22 | 14–3 |
| Total Super Bowls won: 2 | ||||||
NFC Championships
| Season | Coach | Location | Opponent | Score | |
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| 1980 | Dick Vermeil | Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) | Dallas Cowboys | 20–7 | |
| 2004 | Andy Reid | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) | Atlanta Falcons | 27–10 | |
| 2017 | Doug Pederson | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) | Minnesota Vikings | 38–7 | |
| 2022 | Nick Sirianni | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) | San Francisco 49ers | 31–7 | |
| 2024 | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) | Washington Commanders | 55–23 | ||
| Total NFC Championships won: 5 | |||||
Division Championships
The Eagles have won their division 16 times.
| Year | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Greasy Neale | 8–4 |
| 1948 | 11–5 | |
| 1949 | 11–5 | |
| 1980 | Dick Vermeil | 12–4 |
| 1988 | Buddy Ryan | 10–6 |
| 2001 | Andy Reid | 11–5 |
| 2002 | 12–4 | |
| 2003 | 12–4 | |
| 2004 | 13–3 | |
| 2006 | 10–6 | |
| 2010 | 10–6 | |
| 2013 | Chip Kelly | 10–6 |
| 2017 | Doug Pederson | 13–3 |
| 2019 | 9–7 | |
| 2022 | Nick Sirianni | 14–3 |
| 2024 | 14–3 | |
| Total division titles won: 16 | ||
Team Look: Logos and Uniforms
The Eagles chose an eagle as their mascot to honor a symbol from a government program called the National Recovery Administration.
For their first two seasons (1933-1934), the Eagles wore light blue and yellow. In 1935, they added green. For many years, their main colors were kelly green, silver, and white. In 1954, the Eagles were one of the first NFL teams to put a logo on their helmets: silver wings on a kelly green helmet.
In 1996, the team changed its look. The kelly green became a darker "midnight green." The silver color was mostly removed. The helmet wings changed to white with silver and black details. The eagle logo itself became a more cartoon-like white bald eagle head. This eagle head is special because it's the only NFL logo that faces left, and the right side of the logo looks like a stylized "E."
Since 1996, the uniforms have had only small changes. Sometimes they wear all-black jerseys and pants. In 2007, for their 75th anniversary, the Eagles wore special "throwback" jerseys that were yellow and blue, like their original uniforms.
In 2022, the Eagles introduced a new black alternate helmet. They also announced that the classic "Kelly Green" uniforms would return as an alternate uniform starting in the 2023 season. In 2024, the black helmet returned as a third option and was worn with white jerseys and black pants for a game in Brazil.
Team Rivalries
Divisional Rivals
Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL. Their first game was in 1960, with the Eagles winning. Fans of both teams have a lot of hostility towards each other.
New York Giants
The Eagles' rivalry with the New York Giants started in 1933. Both teams have always been in the same division. This rivalry is very fierce, partly because of the geographic competition between New York and Philadelphia. It's often called one of the best rivalries in football.
Washington Commanders
The Eagles also have a strong historical rivalry with the Washington Commanders. Their first game was in 1934. While not as big as the Giants or Cowboys rivalries, it's still very competitive.
Conference Rivals
Atlanta Falcons
The Eagles have a rivalry with the Atlanta Falcons. This rivalry grew stronger in the 2000s when both teams had exciting quarterbacks, Donovan McNabb for the Eagles and Michael Vick for the Falcons. The Eagles beat the Falcons in the playoffs on their way to winning Super Bowl LII.
Inter-Conference Rivals
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are both from Pennsylvania. They started playing in the same division in 1933. After 1970, the Steelers moved to a different conference, so the teams only play each other every four years. The Eagles have a strong home record against the Steelers, winning eleven straight games in Philadelphia since 1966.
Players
Current Roster
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Philadelphia Eagles roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters |
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Awards and Honors
Retired Numbers
The Eagles have retired several jersey numbers to honor their greatest players. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.
| Philadelphia Eagles Retired Numbers | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Years Played | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Donovan McNabb | QB | 1999–2009 | September 20, 2013 |
| 15 | Steve Van Buren | HB | 1944–1951 | 1951 |
| 20 | Brian Dawkins | S | 1996–2008 | September 30, 2012 |
| 40 | Tom Brookshier | CB | 1953–1961 | 1962 |
| 44 | Pete Retzlaff | FL, TE | 1956–1966 | 1965 |
| 60 | Chuck Bednarik | LB, C | 1949–1962 | 1987 |
| 70 | Al Wistert | OT | 1943–1951 | 1952 |
| 92 | Reggie White(*) | DE | 1985–1992 | December 5, 2005 |
| 99 | Jerome Brown(*) | DT | 1987–1991 | September 6, 1992 |
Notes:
- (*) These honors were given after the players had passed away.
- The Eagles also do not issue numbers 12 (Randall Cunningham), 25 (LeSean McCoy), or 9 (Nick Foles), even though they are not officially retired.
Pro Football Hall of Famers
Many Eagles players, coaches, and owners have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor in professional football.
| Philadelphia Eagles in the Pro Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
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| Players | |||||||||
| No. | Name | Positions | Seasons | Inducted | No. | Name | Positions | Seasons | Inducted |
| 15 | Steve Van Buren | HB | 1944–1951 | 1965 | 80 | James Lofton | WR | 1993 | 2003 |
| 60 | Chuck Bednarik | C–LB | 1949–1962 | 1967 | 76 | Bob Brown | OT | 1964–1968 | 2004 |
| 53 | Alex Wojciechowicz | C–DT | 1946–1950 | 1968 | 92 | Reggie White | DE | 1985–1992 | 2006 |
| 35 | Pete Pihos | TE–DE | 1947–1955 | 1970 | 85 | Art Monk | WR | 1995 | 2008 |
| 11 | Norm Van Brocklin | QB | 1958–1960 | 1971 | 95 | Richard Dent | DE | 1997 | 2011 |
| 56 | Bill Hewitt | DE-FB | 1937–1939, 1943 | 1971 | 80 | Cris Carter | WR | 1987–1989 | 2013 |
| 33 | Ollie Matson | RB | 1964–1966 | 1972 | 87 | Claude Humphrey | DE | 1979–1981 | 2014 |
| 54 | Jim Ringo | C | 1964–1967 | 1981 | 20 | Brian Dawkins | S | 1996–2008 | 2018 |
| 9 | Sonny Jurgensen | QB | 1957–1963 | 1983 | 81 | Terrell Owens | WR | 2004–2005 | 2018 |
| 98, 89 | Mike Ditka | TE | 1967–1968 | 1988 | 17 | Harold Carmichael | WR | 1971–1983 | 2020 |
| 86 | Bud Grant | WR–DE | 1951–1952 | 1994 | 21 | Eric Allen | CB | 1988–1994 | 2025 |
| 25 | Tommy McDonald | WR | 1957–1963 | 1998 | |||||
| Coaches and Executives | |||||||||
| Name | Positions | Seasons | Inducted | ||||||
| Bert Bell | Owner/Founder | 1933–1940 | 1963 | ||||||
| Earle "Greasy" Neale | Head Coach | 1941–1950 | 1969 | ||||||
| Dick Vermeil | Head Coach | 1976–1982 | 2022 | ||||||
Eagles Hall of Fame
The Eagles have their own Hall of Fame to honor important players and staff. It started in 1987 as the "Honor Roll" and was renamed in 2012. Players can be considered for induction three years after they retire from the NFL.
Team Staff
Current Staff
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→ Coaching staff |
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Radio and Television
Eagles games are broadcast on the radio and television. Merrill Reese has been the play-by-play announcer since 1976, and former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick is the color analyst. Spanish language broadcasts are also available.
Preseason games are shown on WCAU, the local NBC station. During the regular season, most games are on Fox (WTXF-TV). If the Eagles play an AFC team at home, the game is usually on CBS (KYW-TV).
Training Camp
The Eagles hold their preseason training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. This is where players practice and get ready for the season. Before 2013, they held training camp at different universities and locations.
Fight Song
The Eagles' fight song is "Fly, Eagles Fly". Fans sing it loudly after touchdowns and before games at home.
Eagles Cheerleaders
The Eagles have their own cheerleading squad. They perform dance routines and cheer for the team. They also release a swimsuit calendar each year.
Eagles Fans
Eagles fans are known for being some of the most devoted in the NFL. Studies often rank them among the best fans in the league because of their "unmatched fervor" and loyalty. They consistently fill almost all the seats in the stadium.
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The team has sold out every home game since 1999. Even when the team has a losing record, fans still buy tickets and merchandise.
Eagles fans are so passionate that they sometimes chant "E-A-G-L-E-S – Eagles!" at other Philadelphia sports games (like basketball or baseball) if their team is losing badly. This shows they are putting their hope into the Eagles.
Many famous people are Eagles fans, including actor Bradley Cooper, comedian Kevin Hart, and soccer star Carli Lloyd.
Images for kids
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Shibe Park, the Eagles' home field, which they shared with baseball's Philadelphia Phillies in 1940 and then from 1942 to 1957
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Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, the Eagles' home field from 1936 to 1939 and again in 1941
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Wilbert Montgomery, Eagles running back, in the 1980 NFC Championship Game.
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A Philadelphia Eagles fan celebrating at Super Bowl LII.
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Philadelphia Eagles training camp at the NovaCare Complex in 2019.
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