The Eagles are 3-0. They inhabit a different world than one Birds were once accustomed to. They’re defending champions. They’re blocking kicks left and right. An Eagles fan is something people want to be
rather than something they were merely born into.
Amongst the excitement of the Eagles attempting to become back-to-back Super Bowl winners and an instant classic Week 3 victory over the Rams, some celebrities are popping up at Lincoln Financial Field. This goes beyond the usual Bradley Cooper and Mike Trout crew. Cast members of Task, the new Philadelphia-set HBO series from Berwyn-born creator Brad Ingelsby, were at the Linc this past Sunday. We now live in a reality where Mark Ruffalo is rocking a Brian Dawkins jersey at a Birds game.
Ruffalo’s jersey choice inspired a post from the great sportswriter Michael Baumann suggesting that I rank the best Eagles vintage jerseys by “Ball Knower-ness” and, well, that felt right up my alley.
Now, for my ranking purposes, this doesn’t mean it needs to be some brand new throwback jersey you bought from Mitchell & Ness. It can be a vintage one you kept for yourself from back in the day, an eBay find or a hand-me-down from an older sibling.
For the inexact science my rankings will have, I’ll take into account, obviously, on-field performance, but also a player’s connection to the city and fan base, which is certainly a bit more intangible. It goes beyond simply being the “best” player. Your reaction to what it would be like seeing a given person wear it at a random tailgate matters too. I have a million old Eagles jerseys. I might not be the greatest Xs and Os mind of all time, but I do know this stuff. I’ll do 20 players. No players who suited up for the 2017 Eagles and 2024 Eagles are eligible. We’re keeping it old school. Let’s get after it…
20. Vince Papale
This means you’re either a cinephile or from South Philly or, in my case, both!
19. Donovan McNabb
McNabb was the best Eagles quarterback of all time when he retired, but rocking a quarterback’s jersey gets docked some “cool” points because it’s the one position people gravitate toward most.
18. David Akers
You get bonus points if you tuck this jersey into your jeans while wearing a pair of Nike Air Monarch IVs.
17. Jon Runyan
You’re probably kind of a freak who’s wearing this because it’s No. 69, but Runyan was massively underrated because he played right tackle at a time before that position was given its flowers. Would you want to mess with someone wearing a Runyan jersey? Probably not!
16. Duce Staley
🗣️ DUCEEEEEEEEEEEEE
15. Terrell Owens
Owens was a god in Philly in 2004, but burned out unlike any Philly athlete ever. I’ve come around on him in the years since and love him, but I understand that is likely still divisive.
14. Bobby Taylor
A Taylor jersey means you dig hard-nosed corners and pick-6s, or maybe you’re just a bandwagon Notre Dame fan.
13. Harold Carmichael
Carmichael is a Hall of Famer who younger generations of Eagles fans likely don’t properly appreciate. He was a 6’8” wideout!
12. Seth Joyner
Joyner was an All-Pro linebacker on one of the best defenses of all time and now stokes the flames as an Eagles commentator and analyst. I love hearing him rant.
11. Eric Allen
Allen was a long overdue Hall of Fame selection who’s the best cornerback in team history.
10. Randall Cunningham
Cunningham was as electric as any player to ever play the quarterback position, but I, once again, dock some points for the QB spot.
9. Doug Pederson
If you somehow own one of these, as I do, it means your entire life still revolves around Super Bowl LII, as mine does.
8. Bill Bergey
A 1970s great, Bergey would score you some points with old heads if you showed up to a tailgate wearing this Kelly Green classic. I saw one at the Linc on Sunday and thought, “Wow, I need that.”
7. Reggie White
White was the most dominant Eagle ever and is the greatest defensive end ever, but, personally, leaving Philly for Green Bay in free agency hurts his standing on a list like this.
6. Mike Quick
A beloved radio color commentator who was also an All-Pro receiver? Legendary stuff.
5. Brian Westbrook
In 2003, during Westbrook’s breakout season, a Westbrook jersey was the hottest item in the tristate area. I still have mine. The fact that Westbrook would be an even better running back in the modern NFL adds to the “Ball Knower-ness” factor, right?
4. Jeremiah Trotter Sr.
The Axe Man! If someone is in a Reebok Trotter jersey, I’d know they mean business!
3. Wilbert Montgomery
A 42-yard touchdown run from Montgomery against Dallas in the 1980 NFC Championship Game made him iconic in Philly and will keep him that way forever.
2. Brian Dawkins
The athlete-city relationship between Dawkins and Philadelphia is unparalleled.
1. Jerome Brown
R.I.P.
On the day of Super Bowl LII, on what would’ve been Brown’s 53rd birthday, the Eagles finally brought it home for Jerome. I wore a Kelly Green Brown jersey that night and celebrated on Broad Street after. That only heightened what was one of the best nights of my life.
