Was Andy Reid wrong for not acknowledging Eagles fans?
Andy Reid's 14-year tenure with the Eagles came to an end on Monday, and Reid has yet to address the city of Philadelphia or, more importantly, its fans.
Was Andy Reid wrong for not acknowledging Eagles fans?
Justin Klugh, Assistant Sports Producer
It's been a long year.
And as fans, we'd like some recognition.
Sure, we don't put in any of the training, workouts, long flights, missed time with loved ones or risk of horrible injury that the athletes do. But we ARE the ones who've had our emotions worn down to a nub, without millions of dollars to console ourselves.
The point is, even a minor acknowledgement of what we do--the clapping, the screaming, the StubHub scouring, the quickly minimizing of live streamed games when a supervisor pops into the cubicle--goes a long way.
Andy Reid's 14-year tenure with the Eagles came to an end on Monday, and Reid has yet to address the city of Philadelphia or, more importantly, its fans.
So assuming he's got his hands full being chased by helicopters and will eventually pen an eloquent exit speech, here are the class acts Reid will be following:
Shane Victorino
Casualty of a loss-induced fire sale, Shane bought the traditional full page ad in the paper, giving Philly a final, tear-stained "Mahalo."
The mainstay firecracker of a centerfielder was the first real foundation to buckle as the Phillies moved further and further from 2008. But in one last moment before he headed off to L.A., he helped us remember why we were so sad he was gone.
Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence, however, scarpered out of town quietly, using an awkwardly scheduled bobblehead night to say good bye weeks later. The note on the back of the box was nice, but it was then that we remembered--had he really only been here for one year? Maybe we are a little melodramatic.
Andre Iguodala
Iggy wrote a heartfelt letter to the fans on his personal web site. Days later, he characterized Philly sports fans as lunatics who consider a slam dunk appropriate penance for a human murder. But hey, whatever, he said the nice thing first.
Plus, we got Andrew Bynum! How can we lose!
Brian Dawkins
Of course, one of the most beloved Eagles of all time got to retire as one, despite that little experiment as a Bronco that we can just pretend didn't happen. In an emotional farewell at the NovaCare Center, B-Dawk stood with old hats like Jeffrey Lurie, former teammates like Donovan McNabb, and awe-struck fans who in the tenure of his career became Eagles themselves like Vinny Curry.
An appropriately choked-up moment for the collective who was saddest to see him go.
Eric Lindros
The first time the former Flyers captain sad good bye, there was a lot more rigid, uncomfortable silence. But when he was invited to play in the Winter Classic alumni game in 2011, we got a second shot at Lindros that we never thought we'd get.
He even gave Bobby Clarke the time of day, in a case of earth-shattering appeasement that nobody in this town had even bothered to fantasize about. When he stepped out on the ice, the crowd exploded--proving that we may be overly "passionate," or whatever adjective they're using to describe us amidst snickers this week, but we can appreciate the rarity of a higly coveted second chance.
The reason Reid OWED the fans an acknowledgement is the same reason he OWED us some information in his press conferences: we PAY for the entire football/sports circus, either from sales of tickets and gear, or from television/advertising money which is funded by the fans buying the advertisiers products, beer, etc. We are PAYING the salaries of Reid & the players, Lurie's debt payments, etc. Yes, Reid OWED us information in the press conferences, owed and an acknowledgement on his way out of town. He will owe the same to Kansas City fans. We put all that $$$$ in his bank account. But he never got that, and still doesn't get it.— jimmcc- I don't see why!?A Most of the the recent games he was Boo'ed! Fire Him, !He stinks...Instead of All of Us Wishing Him the Best! We Did the Opposite did we not?
He was here for 14 years and gave his best ..I would suppose..However,
he also deserved a better Goodbye! So then why should he have any more
compassion for us I am sure he was hurt! too ...I his intention was not to lose games...
If you want to blame any one blame Laurie for not making changes long ago....So Yes I do Wish Andy a healthy future with his new team... and so should you all~ So No I don't think he had to suck it up and say goodbye— tajicat - It's over. For better or worse its over. Move on.— Cactusclarke
- I am not sure why Andy Reid owes the city a news conference...and if he would provide one he would use the same platitudes that he has used for a long time. Would it be to hear a rerun to remind us how he related to people outside of the team or what? What would be the point for him to hold a news conference anyway? What we know is he is gone...and we wish him well, but it was time for all to be parted. It was no longer working...so just let him saunter off into the sunset and to another team. Goodbye Andy...thanks for the memories, good luck with your new team. Forget the news conference, we could have told you what you were going to say anyway.— 5thstrretpast
