PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Football fever is back in South Philadelphia as the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s season opener Thursday night.
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Fans will be treated to a special moment at Lincoln Financial Field when the team unveils its Super Bowl 59 championship banner. Adding to the celebration, Boyz II Men will perform the national anthem – their first since singing at the Eagles’ 2018 home opener, when the Super Bowl 52 banner was revealed.
Ahead of the big game, Eagles legend Brandon Graham joined cheerleaders and mascot Swoop for a fan bus tour Tuesday, making stops at St. Joseph’s University, the Comcast Center Plaza, and the Conshohocken Business District.
“Brandon Graham is obviously one of my favorite players. I’m excited to see him in person,” said St. Joe’s freshman Kayla Shaw.
“We gonna get another championship! We need another parade down on Broad Street again,” added Larry Brown of North Philadelphia.
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Over the weekend, fans at the Jersey Shore, including North Wildwood, Stone Harbor and Sea Isle City, got the chance to meet Eagles cheerleaders and Swoop. Former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley and linebacker Ike Reese signed autographs.
“We’re down here at the Shore. It’s a great time to be a Philadelphia sports fan,” Reese said.
Players across the NFL have confirmed what we already knew here in Philadelphia: Saquon Barkley is number one. The Eagles running back tops the list of the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2025.
The NFL shared the moment Barkley was officially bestowed the title and a trophy.
Barkley found out his peers think he is the best back in June while sitting down for an interview. And in true fashion, he remains humble.
As the reigning Super Bowl champs gear up for Thursday, Barkley shared Coach Nick Sirianni’s message to the team: “Contribution over credit.”
Barkley is not the only Eagle on the list. Jalen Hurts ranked 19. Lane Johnson, Zack Baun, AJ Brown, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Jordan Mailata also got nods.
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