Taking one for the team
By Steve Esack
The Morning Call
August 04, 2007
On one of the hottest days of the year Friday, one of the largest crowds ever crammed into Lehigh University's Goodman Campus athletic complex to watch the Eagles practice.
''I didn't expect a crowd like this,'' said John Qualteria of Quakertown as his 4-year-old son Jack sat on his sweating shoulders. ''I've never seen it this crowded. Last year, you could get within 20 feet of the fence.''
Qualteria was about 50 feet from the fence, but he didn't care. ''It's all about him anyway,'' Qualteria said, smiling up at his son.
Eagles officials pegged the morning crowd at 17,941 fans, many of whom fought for elbow room and shade under a blazing sun that by 11 a.m. had pushed the temperature above 90 degrees. As the temperature rose in the afternoon, attendance dipped to 2,954 fans, for an estimated total of 20,895 fans for the day.
Lower Saucon Township Police Chief Guy Lesser said traffic was the most they have seen since camp began last week. Backups occurred in the morning and afternoon on different roads, he said.
With Eagles and Lehigh officials expecting a similar-sized crowd today, Lesser said, his department plans to make changes that he hopes will alleviate congestion. In the morning, he said, the traffic light at the four-way intersection of Mountain Drive, and Bingen, Hickory Hill and Friedensville roads will be altered to move more traffic on each green light. In the afternoon, an officer will be posted at Route 378 and Seidersville Road.
Friday's attendance crushed Thursday's figure of 13,393. But it fell short of the all-time high set Aug. 6, 2004, when the Eagles say 25,000 people descended on South Mountain to watch the Eagles' flamboyant former ex-wide receiver Terrell Owens practice.
''I'm still having fun,'' said Henry Page, 57, of Lawrenceville, N.J., as he watched his 12-year-old grandson, Jordan, cheer.
Despite the heat, Sean Holden, 22, of Abington wore a helmet, green wool sweatshirt and wide receivers gloves to protect the tinfoil Super Bowl trophy he carried. He had his face painted green and silver. Under his white feather wings sprouting from his back, he wore an Eagles beach towel like a cape.
''It's hot, but I do it for the passion, and I do it for the Birds, baby,'' Holden said. ''I'll be out here all day but I might go in my car and crank up the A.C.''
To get to his car, however, Holden would have to pass through the Eagles merchandise tent, which serves as the entrance and exit to the fields. It was even hotter under the tent because the crowds were so close and the sides drawn shut, blocking the little breeze that blew across the fields.
''Walking through the tent is pretty dangerous,'' Qualteria said. ''It's like sitting in your car with the windows rolled up.''
The tent did not scare Kathy Buck, 34, of Chester County. After watching most of the morning practice, Buck led her young children and nephews into the tent for presents.
''We got here at 7 o'clock,'' Buck said. ''We're leaving, it's too hot and crowded, but now we're going for souvenirs.''
It is weather-resistent dedication like this that has helped make the Eagles into the NFL's top-branded team. In a recent analysis, Forbes magazine calculated the brand value of the teams by adding up their revenues from sponsorships, naming rights, local media, tickets and merchandise.
Forbes says the Eagles brand value of $90 million has risen to the top because it kicked T.O. out of the nest in 2005. While the Eagles brand worth has soared, the Cowboys' has dropped since T.O. was hired as a wide receiver there -- as if Eagles fans needed another reason to chant ''Dallas sucks,'' as they did throughout the day.
The bleachers were filled by 7:30 a.m. so the fans began to crowd the fencing surrounding the Eagles practice field. By the time practice began 45 minutes later, fans stood seven to 10 deep.
''I knew it would be bad on a Friday,'' said Bruce Walsh, 36, of Wilmington, Del. ''Last year, it was not half as bad as this. Last year, you could actually get a bleacher seat.''
This year's training camp does not have a singular draw for fans like it did with Owens three years ago. However, quarterback Donovan McNabb is back from knee surgery, and fans have said they are happy to see him behind center again. The scores of fans also say they just love the team.
The size of the morning crowd was not lost on linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. He spent more than two hours practicing and then signing his name for 20 more minutes under a tent. When he was done with those chores, he dunked his head in a bucket of ice and professed admiration for the fans.
''The crowds out here are crazy,'' Trotter said. ''But it pushes you to get through the heat.
I feed off the crowd because you know the fans are out sweating and bleeding with you.''
Sportswriter Larry O'Rourke contributed to this story.
The Morning Call
August 04, 2007
On one of the hottest days of the year Friday, one of the largest crowds ever crammed into Lehigh University's Goodman Campus athletic complex to watch the Eagles practice.
''I didn't expect a crowd like this,'' said John Qualteria of Quakertown as his 4-year-old son Jack sat on his sweating shoulders. ''I've never seen it this crowded. Last year, you could get within 20 feet of the fence.''
Qualteria was about 50 feet from the fence, but he didn't care. ''It's all about him anyway,'' Qualteria said, smiling up at his son.
Eagles officials pegged the morning crowd at 17,941 fans, many of whom fought for elbow room and shade under a blazing sun that by 11 a.m. had pushed the temperature above 90 degrees. As the temperature rose in the afternoon, attendance dipped to 2,954 fans, for an estimated total of 20,895 fans for the day.
Lower Saucon Township Police Chief Guy Lesser said traffic was the most they have seen since camp began last week. Backups occurred in the morning and afternoon on different roads, he said.
With Eagles and Lehigh officials expecting a similar-sized crowd today, Lesser said, his department plans to make changes that he hopes will alleviate congestion. In the morning, he said, the traffic light at the four-way intersection of Mountain Drive, and Bingen, Hickory Hill and Friedensville roads will be altered to move more traffic on each green light. In the afternoon, an officer will be posted at Route 378 and Seidersville Road.
Friday's attendance crushed Thursday's figure of 13,393. But it fell short of the all-time high set Aug. 6, 2004, when the Eagles say 25,000 people descended on South Mountain to watch the Eagles' flamboyant former ex-wide receiver Terrell Owens practice.
''I'm still having fun,'' said Henry Page, 57, of Lawrenceville, N.J., as he watched his 12-year-old grandson, Jordan, cheer.
Despite the heat, Sean Holden, 22, of Abington wore a helmet, green wool sweatshirt and wide receivers gloves to protect the tinfoil Super Bowl trophy he carried. He had his face painted green and silver. Under his white feather wings sprouting from his back, he wore an Eagles beach towel like a cape.
''It's hot, but I do it for the passion, and I do it for the Birds, baby,'' Holden said. ''I'll be out here all day but I might go in my car and crank up the A.C.''
To get to his car, however, Holden would have to pass through the Eagles merchandise tent, which serves as the entrance and exit to the fields. It was even hotter under the tent because the crowds were so close and the sides drawn shut, blocking the little breeze that blew across the fields.
''Walking through the tent is pretty dangerous,'' Qualteria said. ''It's like sitting in your car with the windows rolled up.''
The tent did not scare Kathy Buck, 34, of Chester County. After watching most of the morning practice, Buck led her young children and nephews into the tent for presents.
''We got here at 7 o'clock,'' Buck said. ''We're leaving, it's too hot and crowded, but now we're going for souvenirs.''
It is weather-resistent dedication like this that has helped make the Eagles into the NFL's top-branded team. In a recent analysis, Forbes magazine calculated the brand value of the teams by adding up their revenues from sponsorships, naming rights, local media, tickets and merchandise.
Forbes says the Eagles brand value of $90 million has risen to the top because it kicked T.O. out of the nest in 2005. While the Eagles brand worth has soared, the Cowboys' has dropped since T.O. was hired as a wide receiver there -- as if Eagles fans needed another reason to chant ''Dallas sucks,'' as they did throughout the day.
The bleachers were filled by 7:30 a.m. so the fans began to crowd the fencing surrounding the Eagles practice field. By the time practice began 45 minutes later, fans stood seven to 10 deep.
''I knew it would be bad on a Friday,'' said Bruce Walsh, 36, of Wilmington, Del. ''Last year, it was not half as bad as this. Last year, you could actually get a bleacher seat.''
This year's training camp does not have a singular draw for fans like it did with Owens three years ago. However, quarterback Donovan McNabb is back from knee surgery, and fans have said they are happy to see him behind center again. The scores of fans also say they just love the team.
The size of the morning crowd was not lost on linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. He spent more than two hours practicing and then signing his name for 20 more minutes under a tent. When he was done with those chores, he dunked his head in a bucket of ice and professed admiration for the fans.
''The crowds out here are crazy,'' Trotter said. ''But it pushes you to get through the heat.
I feed off the crowd because you know the fans are out sweating and bleeding with you.''
Sportswriter Larry O'Rourke contributed to this story.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:13 PM
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