For the first time in over 50 years, the city of Cleveland can call itself a champion and you can cross off another name on the list of championship droughts. But one name that remains on that shrinking list is the Philadelphia Eagles.
Call it a curse, call it bad luck, whatever you call it, the fact remains: Philadelphia's NFL franchise has yet to taste the glory that comes with holding a Lombardi Trophy, but last night's Game 7 of the NBA Finals proved that, despite all of the close calls, holding out hope is the only option for a frustrated fanbase.
Watch those videos of people spilling into the streets of Cleveland with a feeling of euphoria, releasing 50 years of frustration and imagine a similar scene on Broad Street. Imagine waves and waves of midnight green-clad men and women taking to the streets to celebrate finally reaching the highest point of pro football and putting to rest all of those lame arguments about the Eagles never being crowned a Super Bowl champion.
I know it still seems like an impossible dream right now, a passing thought only occupying my head because it's June and training camp is still over a month away, but as the Eagles finally start from the blocks for the first time since the early days of the Andy Reid era, hope springs anew.
Carson Wentz is the first blue chip QB the team has had since Donovan McNabb was here and Fletcher Cox may be the most dominant player not named Brian Dawkins to be lining up on the Eagles defense since the days of Reggie White and Jerome Brown.
Yes, like all prolonged droughts, there have been false saviors. Reid and Dick Vermeil led their teams to the doorstep, but were unable to cash in. Buddy Ryan and Chip Kelly were supposed to be innovators on their respective sides of the ball, but left town without a playoff win to their name. Is Doug Pederson "the guy?" Possibly, or he will prove to be unable to reach the precipice just like his predecessors.
But the thing about curses is things are always darkest before the dawn. It took a herculean effort from LeBron James for the Cavaliers to become the first NBA team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. The Boston Red Sox had to overcome a 3-0 deficit to the New York Yankees in order to beat the Curse of the Bambino and capture their first World Series in almost a century.
So maybe this group of Eagles aren't the answer. And maybe it will be another decade or two before the opportunity to become Super Bowl champions arrives again. But remaining loyal and dedicated as a fan will make that victory so much sweeter. And once again, last night proved, that goal can be achieved. And it will be worth the wait.
Tucker Bagley is a columnist for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @tbagley515.
