February 4th: The Super Bowl.

Good Morning!

Waking up on this Sunday morning with high hopes and energy.

Tonight, Super Bowl 52 will be played in Minneapolis between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

For me, this is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, days for me as a sports fan.

I have been a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan since I was 6 years old in 2005. I received a sticker book in the mail with the logo of each team in the Big 4 leagues. I began searching through for my favorite stickers. Once I selected them, I told myself no matter what happens, I will always root for these teams.

The NFL team logo I selected was the Philadelphia Eagles.

As a kid, I was fascinated by the color green and birds, so there was probably a connection there!

Heading into tonight’s Super Bowl, I feel many emotions (past and present) that I associate with my Eagles fandom. From coming so close to going to the Super Bowl in 2008 against Kurt Warner, from having the “Dream Team” become a “Dud Team”, from Michael Vick returning to the NFL to give the Eagles a spark, from Nick Foles coming out of the blue and having one of the best statistical seasons in NFL history (and then losing in the playoffs), to the last few years of a rebuild. It’s been a lot to take in the past 12 years.

Going into this season, I predicted the Eagles would go 9-7. Slightly better than last year, but room to improve.

I’m glad I was wrong.

This Philadelphia Eagles team has shown me a lot about what it means to work together and give your all, no matter the circumstances. This team has dealt with so many injuries to key players, such as Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Jordan Hicks, Darren Sproles, Chris Maragos, Caleb Sturgis, and many more. They have dealt with many critics writing them off after each injury, saying that they have become “too decimated” to continue to compete.

What I see in this Eagles team is nothing short of amazing.

I think that a lot of it has to do with the strong faith that these men have. In God and in each other.

Many men on this team have led by example as men of God and have shown this team what it means to follow God’s plan. God has always had a plan, and despite the injuries and setbacks and doubters, the Eagles have realized that those things don’t matter. They are trusting in God to give them the strength to play and asking Him to take over for them, because they cannot do it on their own.

It’s not about the trophy (although it would be nice), it’s not about the money, and it’s not about the fame.

It’s about giving the glory to God no matter what happens. It’s always for Him and for Him only.

It is incredible that I see this attitude in so many players on the Philadelphia Eagles and I love the influence that God has on these men.

FINAL NOTE: I am beyond excited for the Super Bowl this evening. As a diehard fan, all I can ask of them is 3 things:

1. Play your heart out.
2. Never give up.
3. Give all the glory to God, no matter the result.

If every single member of the Philadelphia Eagles can do this tonight, no matter winning or losing, it will be a satisfying night for the fans, the players, and their faith.

(But I must say, winning will make it just that much sweeter.)