By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Eagles' fanbase has been largely criticized for its passionate display following their win in the NFC Championship game that will send the team to Minneapolis to play in Super Bowl LII.
It is worth noting that no arrests were made in connection in the celebration, and that the city handled itself with class despite the perception of others.
While some were unhappy to see the Eagles' moving on to the Super Bowl, there were some notable names that threw their support behind the Eagles.
First there are the big-name athletes who are from the greater Philadelphia area that support their hometown team.
Two-time American League MVP, Los Angeles Angels star center fielder, and Vineland, New Jersey native Mike Trout was in attendance for the NFC Championship game, and even sported an underdog mask:
I guess Mike Trout ⚾was right he sported his dog mask at tonight's game. #FlyEaglesFly #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/GJEjwNZ7tt
— Cardee Mauley (@CardeeMauley) January 22, 2018
Trout said that fans can expect him to post a picture of him in the mask again during the Super Bowl, which he predicted the Eagles will win by a score of 31-24.
Philadelphia native, Villanova alumnus, and four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry also demonstrated his loyalty to his hometown while meeting with reporters in Toronto by refusing to discuss anything other than the Eagles:
Kyle Lowry declared today “Eagles Day” and would only take Eagles-related questions. pic.twitter.com/BeYXTo40oX
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 22, 2018
18-time NBA All-Star, five-time NBA Champion, and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant hails from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, and has not forgotten his roots despite going on to become one of the all-time greats in Los Angeles as a Laker.
The Black Mamba made sure that the Eagles were carrying the Mamba Mentality into Super Bowl LII:
Getting there wasn’t the goal @Eagles let’s finish the job #focus #superbowl
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2018
Newly minted NBA All-Star and Minnesota Timberwolves' center Karl Anthony-Towns let the world know that he rides with the Eagles despite being form New York Giants' territory and playing for the city that the Eagles defeated:
Adding insult to injury for the Minnesota fans… pic.twitter.com/H1EY7JOf9n
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 22, 2018
In addition to Lowry, Bryant, and Towns, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was in attendance on Sunday in Eagles' owner Jeffrey Lurie's suite. Barkley played with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1984-1992 and is one of the team's all-time greatest players.
Sir Charles was stopped celebrating with the city to speak with CBS 3 after the win:
Charles Barkley: 'This Is An Amazing City…This Is Great For The #Eagles Players' pic.twitter.com/lI8jydiOeR
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) January 22, 2018
Barkley told 97.5 the Fanatic that he has already placed a big bet on the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl on February 4.
Eagles' all-time leading rusher and current Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy was featured on NFL Network, where he picked the Eagles to defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. McCoy made sure to let everyone know that he was right about the Eagles and his former teammate Nick Foles:
Told you guys on @nflnetwork that big play nick would BALL if they opened the play book …#thankMelater
— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) January 22, 2018
The Eagles got support from a plethora of athletes, but they also received support from a few big Hollywood stars as well.
Bradley Cooper attended the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Cooper is from the Philadelphia area and has four Academy Award nominations, including one for his role in Silver Lining's Playbook in which he plays a passionate Eagles fan:
Oh hey #BradleyCooper 🔥 #FlyEagelsFly pic.twitter.com/hzeV6o1vBG
— Q102 Philly (@Q102Philly) January 22, 2018
Doylestown, Pennsylvania native Alecia Moore, better known as three-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording artist P!nk shared her excitement to be singing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LII especially since her hometown team will be playing in the game:
Ummm. I’m singing the national anthem and the EAGLES ARE PLAYING?!?!?! IS THIS FOR REAL?!?!?!THATS WHASSUP!!!!!!!! Shtjtkd widnamc ckamcnsnzncbx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooohooooooooooooioooooooooooooooooooooooooiiiiiiooooooooooo
— P!nk (@Pink) January 22, 2018
It'll be interesting to see which Eagles' jersey she wears for her performance.
The Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith reminded his Instagram followers what team he roots for despite becoming one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. Clearly he has not forgotten that West Philadelphia is where he was born and raised:
Last, but certainly not least, Sylvester Stallone also put his support behind the Eagles heading into the Super Bowl:
Sylvester Stallone has a message for all you Philadelphia Eagles fans: “Keep punching, Philly!” https://t.co/0eauocscXW pic.twitter.com/YcejAmRCYZ
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) January 24, 2018
With Rocky Balboa backing the Eagles, anything is possible.