Big Dick, Bigger Manners: Foles Pens Heartfelt 'Thank You' Letter To Greatest City In America
Here’s the first part of Foles’ farewell to Philly from the Players Tribune, up until the point that turned me into mush on the Q train this morning:
The first time I signed with the Eagles, they picked me.
I was just a 23-year-old kid out of Austin, Texas, a mid-round draft prospect.
It’s funny, because, leading up to the draft in 2012 — Philly was the team that had shown me the most attention by a mile. And after meeting with Andy, Doug, Howie, and everyone else….. I really wanted to play for them. But I honestly figured it was more like a smoke screen or something. I didn’t actually think they would draft me.
Sure enough, though, when draft day came, they called: third round, 88th overall. My phone started vibrating, and I’ll never forget it — looking down, and seeing that Pennsylvania number.
“Nick, this is Andy Reid.” I was on a flight that next morning.
The second time I signed with the Eagles, I picked them.
I was a 28-year-old free agent, and I had a few good options. Some interesting offers. But the truth is, once they showed interest….. it was always going to be Philly.
The reason that I signed ultimately wasn’t a football one.
It was that Tori and I were expecting our first child — our daughter, Lily. And as much as I admire the Eagles as a franchise….. I love Philadelphia as a city.
Like I said, that part hit me. We’re talkin’ goosebumps across my arms, tears in my eyes, & my face twisted into a weird, lumpy mess (I blame the subway lighting) (and maybe my weird, lumpy face) on this morning’s commute. I probably can’t articulate it right, but there’s something about a player appreciating & loving your home city that makes successes more meaningful all around.
Classy as always, Foles took the time to thank everyone in the Eagles’ organization from the janitors to the equipment staff to the chefs, and he even thanked Chip Kelly for trading him in ’15 because the challenge bettered him. He also went on to say what made the Super Bowl win so impactful…
Because for as much of an honor as it’s been to play for this team and this city…… the truest privilege has been over the last year, in the time since we won the Super Bowl — having Eagles fans share their stories with me. Having them remind me of how we didn’t just win the Super Bowl; we won the Eagles’ first Super Bowl ever. Getting to hear from Philly natives about how their father, or father’s father, or mother, or mother’s mother, cried tears of happiness after the game. Learning about how, for most people, rooting for the Eagles is more than a decision — it’s a birthright.
It’s family.
Philadelphia, thank you for welcoming me into yours.
2017/18 was a weird time in my life, but corny as it sounds, the Eagles produced some of my happiest memories to date. Everyone excited & in a great mood, lots of extra time with my own family & friends watching games, at the community pep rallies & parades, being with my Godfather & cousins as The Philly Special sealed the deal…
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So thank you Nick Foles. These are times I won’t soon forget.
Oh, and Godspeed in Chaps Country.