January 28th, 2005
Philadelphia sports fans often get branded as thugs and cranks. This is unfair. Today’s Phil Sheridan column in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Bill Belichek’s genius is about par for the course in Philly fandom: They have total, complete respect for greatness, particularly when it’s exemplified by visiting teams not from Dallas.
Whatever else you want to say about Philly fans: They know the score. And they care. That makes them some of the best sports fans in the country in my book.
-
Why are Philly fans branded as thugs? Because many of them are in fact violent thugs.After Redskins fan Zema “Chief Zee” Williams appeared at Veterans stadium in 1983 in his full faux-Indian outfit, several Philly fans beat him up. They left him with two busted legs and stripped to his underwear. The Eagles’ management tried to apologize, inviting him back the next year. This time an elderly fan (a woman) threw a drink at Chief Zee. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming up here! We mugged the guy who dressed like that last year!” she reportedly said.Chief Zee has not appeared in Philadephia since then.Like I said, violent thugs.
-
“A guy who dresses up like Chief Zee probably deserves to get his ass whipped”Thank you, Mr. Buderacki for proving the point.
-
Dude, get a grip. Tongue was firmly in cheek when I wrote that. I notice how you fail to mention DC’s role in fan violence.Fly Eagles Fly
-
I’m originally from Philly and routinely embarrassed by the fans. Throwing iceballs and batteries at visitors, including Santa Claus? Who could forget that one? How about the cheering when Michael Irvin almost broke his neck? Yes, they care, but so do the whack jobs who riot and cause general mayhem at European soccer games. Hooligans, I believe, is the term most used to describe them. If the shoe fits…they will throw it on the field.And a word to the wise, do not wear Dallas apparel in the Philly area, especially in O’Hagens Pub on McDade Blvd in Collingdale. They will whip you like a Redskins fan in drag… Westmont
-
Yes, Eagles fans are the best…It takes real character to beat up an old man wearing an indian suit…and it must have taken great courage to break the old guys legs too.Don't give me the whining about how Eagles fans are picked on…you guys deserve it…I used to hate the Cowboys the worst when they said they were america's team…not after chief zee's assault.You guys make me ashamed to say I live in PA.
-
Cheif Zee… I'll piss on him and you Wayne! Go Eags/Phils… All the rest of you can try your luck, but i know what the inside Cizitens Bank Park and The Linc's holding tanks look like and you would be so lucky to do that dance with me and a section of true philly phanatics!!!!
Anonymous January 28, 2005 at 7:00 pm
WOw Chief Zee stopping into post anonomously. A guy who dresses up like Chief Zee probably deserves to get his ass whipped, however I digress. Weren’t the fans in Washington responsible for the macing incident on MNF a couple of years ago? It’s funny, no matter what happens in other cities, Philly gets the bad rap.- Fans fighting players? Chicago, Detroit, Oakland and LA.Fly Eagles FlyOh yeah, Chief Zee, get used to twice a year whoopings that your hogs are going to take. The Eagles have the 4th youngest team in the NFL and are 17M UNDER the salary cap next year. Danny Boy doesn’t have it so good.George Buderackibuder@knology.net