In photos: Philadelphia throws ultimate party for Eagles Super Bowl parade
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Go Birds! Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Babies were hoisted in the air. Beers were tossed. And Birds revelry reached a fever pitch in Philadelphia Friday for the Eagles' Super Bowl parade.
Why it matters: It's an all-day party to celebrate a team that captured the NFL franchise's second Lombardi Trophy — and the adoring hearts of fans across the world.
Driving the news: With bits of green and white confetti bursting from canons, players traveled in an open-air bus procession from South Philly to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Fans, packed along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, greeted them by singing "Fly, Eagles Fly."
- A video montage of Eagles highlights from Super Bowl LIX, including Cooper DeJean's birthday pick-six, played on massive screens along the route before players addressed the city from the Rocky Steps.
What they're saying: Merrill Reese, the longtime voice of the Eagles, introduced the Super Bowl champs as the "greatest team in modern Eagles history."
- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told the crowd it was fitting the city's "love affair" with the team culminated with a championship parade on Valentine's Day.
Philly's mic drop moment of the afternoon, a fitting raw finale for a city that embraces its gritty side, was delivered by wide receiver A.J. Brown.
- "They said I was a diva. They said all I care about is stats. You're going to get all those things wrong about me. But one thing you get right: I'm a f--kin' champion," Brown told the crowd.
Zoom in: It was an absolute free-for-all along the parade route. Players stopped multiple times to exit their buses and amp up crowds waiting hours for a chance to spot the team.
- Fans chucked full cans of beers to players, including one that accidentally struck Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
- Sporting a gash on his forehead, Roseman shouted to the crowd during the ceremony: "I bleed for this city. Go Birds!"
State of play: About a million people are expected to attend today's parade, which has presented unique security and transportation concerns for the region.
- Many fans encountered long lines at SEPTA stations, and some were partially closed to keep new riders from entering.
- At LOVE Park, parade-goers encountered a new installation: "LOVE HURTS," part of a Jordan marketing strategy honoring Eagles MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Catch up quick: The Eagles were an offensive juggernaut in the playoffs, averaging more than 36 points per game as they steamrolled opponents en route to a 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX — avenging their 2023 championship loss.
The bottom line: "I didn't know if I would ever see a Super Bowl team in my lifetime," Northern Philly artist Roberto Lugo, who was posted up on Ben Franklin Parkway, told Axios.
- "This is a bucket-list item for me."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.