Philly's bald eagle, Lincoln, soars into Super Bowl spotlight
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Budweiser's new BFFs. Photo: Courtesy of Budweiser
Lincoln, Philly's beloved bald eagle, is taking flight for the Super Bowl.
Why it matters: At least someone will still be reppin' the region for the big game after the Birds' quick playoff exit this year.
Driving the news: Lincoln is appearing in a new 60-second Budweiser "American Icons" spot, filmed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Henry Alex-Rubin, that's running during Super Bowl LX.
- The commercial, part of Budweiser's ongoing "Made in America" campaign, tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a baby Lincoln and a Clydesdale foal.
Zoom in: The horse stumbles upon the crestfallen hatchling after he falls from his nest, and the two become trusty pals when the Clydesdale shields young Lincoln from a storm.
- Lincoln is often shown perched on the galloping horse's back — until one day the Clydesdale jumps over a fallen tree, appearing to grow wings.
- That's when a grown-up Lincoln bursts free, soaring into the sky as two farmers look on.
What they're saying: "You crying?" one farmer asks.
- "Something's in my eyes," his friend responds.
Catch up quick: The famous 27-year-old raptor has settled into his second act as the Eagles' "lucky charm," taking flight during the National Anthem at home games.
- He took over for Challenger, the first bald eagle in U.S. history trained to fly at sports stadiums.
- Lincoln now splits his time between the American Eagle Foundation in Tennessee and a state-of-the-art enclosure at Natural Lands' Hildacy Preserve in Media, limiting the constant travel that once interrupted his training.
The bottom line: Bald eagles in captivity can live into their 40s — plenty of time for Lincoln to rack up more prime-time appearances.