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.
Reid doesn't owe the "fans" anything. They, with the egging on of the nitwits on WIP, have been as vile toward Andy the last couple years as any sports figure in Philly history. The personal attacks againt him and hs family were over the top. Then, WIP and especialy Michael Barkan and Cataldi expect him to act as if nothing happened? The only thing I hope he gives Eagle fans is a SuperBowl in Kansas City. They deserve no less.— Russ- Who cares what he has to say. Good riddance to the arrogant, stubborn, stupid Big Red.— chocolatethunder
- can everybody in Philly media stop covering Andy Reid at this point. it's over, let's move on people! birds fans are more concerned with who the next HC is...... thr wrong move will set them back ten years!— cmon man
- Why in the world would he want to acknowledge anyone here with the way he was run out of town? Morons like Marcus Hayes and their brainless mob followers made his life hell. All of the clichés about Philly fans that I grew up hearing about but always tried to deny were in full force this season. Lurie will go through 2 or 3 more coaches before giving up in disgust and selling the team in 10 years. There will be a lot of regret and wistfulness about Reid and the way he was run out of town; in fact you're already starting to see it by the way the media refuse to let go.— lefty1117
- We will win a SB before Andy. In fact Andy will never win one. All you Reid apologists should go buy KC jerseys and enjoy another 14 years of his BS.— Fire_Andy
- The Eagles had a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl in 2005. The next chance will probably come around in 2030. With RGIii, the Skins will own us for years to come. Reid may not a Super Bowl in KC, but he will turn the Chiefs around very quickly. — paukh
- Akers had a nice billboard on 95 right by the stadium exit. Now he's in SF with his job at risk and getting death threats. But Philly has the bad rep?— burholme
- Andy hates all of us.— sore richard
- Andy Reid has mentioned in the past that he thinks Philadelphia and its fans are great. I think he was a little too busy this week in reaching an agreement to become head coach of the Chiefs in exchange for a couple of currency loaded Brinks trucks. Reid has better things to do then reminisce about the past. Good luck, Big Red. Better days are ahead!— paukh
- Let me make sure I understand this. Philly fans and media have booed, demanded he be fired, rip every decesion he's made on sports radio, and attacked him personally for the past 14 years. He's delivered one of the best records in football since 2000. His first losing season in years and he's ran out of town without a second thought. Now you have the nerve to demand he thank everyone. Wow what a delusional fan base. The truth is we stoppd showing up at games and caring once we realized the playoffs were not happening this year. We should really stop telling everyone how loyal we are, and how we are true sports fans, because it's not true. Were ungrateful front runners and that's it.— AngryGregR
- Another reality check for Philly fans. Andy didn't blow the big games by himself. His QB continually tightened up and threw interception after interception in big games. Remember the Super Bowl, Ram,Buc's & Panther games? And how the beloved Jim Johnson's Defense and the almighty B-Dawk got trucked in the Super Bowl and the Cardinals games. FACT. It's kind of funny how time management and the two minute offense worked when QB's not named McNabb and Vick were playing in '06 and this year. Philly deserves another Buddy Ryan type who was big on talk, low on class and fell short in results.— AngryGregR
- Your left out the billboard that David Akers posted thanking Eagles fans after he signed with the 49ers.— rjw817
- The way Eagles fans treated Andy Reid, he owes them nothing, but it would have been a nice gesture for him to rise above the crowd and make a heartfelt goodbye speech. But do we really want to hear "I'm sorry that I never brought you a Super Bowl championship"? Nah, I don't think so. Have a nice time in Kansas City, Andy. I hear that they have lots of all you can eat BBQ places there.— SteveS11
- Eagles fans did not treat Andy badly at all. He is just not a good coach anymore, and he always was overrated. I think many Eagles fans appreciate the good years, but it was time for him to go.— matthew76
- I heard Andy had a clause put in his Chief contract allowing him to talk disrespectfully to the media/fans. The same one he got Lurie to put in his Eagles contract. I also heard he named his son Britt Director of Player Personnel and asst team fitness coach.— AlwaysRight
