The afterglow

We are very happy in Eagles Nation, flying as high as our Eagles. Congrats , too, to fans of NE, though you should not count on taking yet another trophy home. 😊 But I have great sympathy for Vikings and Jaguars fans; we have been down that desolate road, too, and it is a miserable trip. Since so many football fans who don’t bleed green are in need of cheering up, here is a heart-warming story about a former Navy Seal, now retired after a serious combat injury, who is a passionate Eagles fan and was desperate to go to the championship game. Knowing he could not afford it, a friend set up a Gofundme page and generous people donated enough money to secure two tickets. But then the Eagles heard about it and they gave him four sideline tickets. Our Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery, also generously offered two tickets. The vet was able to attend the game and since he had the Eagles’ free tickets, he sold the ones he’d gotten through Gofundme and gave the money to a charity helping Navy Seals and their families. And below the link to this story is one about the downright weird superstitions that football fans embrace. Of course anyone who has seen Silver Lining Playbook knows all about the obsessive hold that sports can take upon our lives. And yes, its star, Bradley Cooper, was at the game, too, on Sunday. Go, Birds!
PS Some of you may have seen the magnificent bald eagle swooping over the Eagles stadium as the national anthem was played, and I thought you might like to know of his interesting history. He is not owned by the Eagles team. His name is Challenger. He is 28 years old and was found as a fledgling when he fell out of his nest and was rescued by well meaning people. But he imprinted upon them and when he was released into the wild, he did not know how to hunt for himself and kept approaching people, whom he associated with food. So his life then took another dramatic turn, as an ambassador for his species and as a living symbol to Americans of what is best about our country. He even has his own website, where you can watch a moving video of his appearances over the years.
https://www.eagles.org/meet-our-birds...
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