Philadelphia Preps for Rowdy Fans in Case of Playoffs Win Sunday

One thing you have to hand Philadelphia: the fervor of their sports fans is unparalleled. Whether in the joy of victory or the agony of defeat, a Philly sports fan can be counted on to be loud, proud, and in your face. The higher the stakes, the greater the commotion. And with the hometown football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, advancing to the NFC championship round of this year’s playoffs, you can bet that the heart rate of the Iggles Nation is running high. So high, in fact, that Philly police have already preparing for the possibility of an Eagles win (and a trip to the Super Bowl) when they play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Having gotten this far in the playoffs, police have already noticed some private celebrations and bar parties getting out of hand. They are advising local businesses to hunker down in the event of a win, which would surely whip fans into a frenzy that could spill out into the streets.

Police are concerned that, should the Eagles win the final playoffs game Sunday night, triumphant fans might party a little too hard! Photo credit: cc Jack Kurzenknabe

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, cops are asking local bars to serve alcohol only in plastic cups – no chance of broken glass littering the sidewalks – and for businesses to bring inside any trash cans or planters they might own over the weekend. It wasn’t specified, but I’ll bet they are thinking about impromptu bonfires being lit in ill-placed jubilation. The Merced Sun-Star says that “businesses in the northeast part of the city, where past post-victory celebrations have gotten a bit out of hand, are also being advised to make sure their security grates are down on Sunday night and bars are being asked not to sell any takeout bottles.”

There will be an active police presence throughout the city Sunday night, but Capt. Anthony Luca advised businesses and citizens to have their cameras at the ready in case they happen to observe any festivities that have gotten out of hand.

All I can say is that, if fans are this fired up now, can you just imagine what it will be like the night of the Super Bowl? Gotta love those Eagles fans. They may be overbearing, but they bleed green and love their team wholeheartedly.