Philadelphia Eagles fans under national microscope after verbal assault on Green Bay Packers fan
Philadelphia Eagles fans are facing scrutiny after a video surfaced showing fan Ryan Caldwell verbally assaulting a female Green Bay Packers fan at a playoff game last Sunday. However, this is not a new phenomenon. Former Dallas Cowboys player DeMarcus Ware, who played a game in Philadelphia every year from 2005 to 2013, recalled a disturbing incident that happened in his rookie season in 2005.
According to Ware, his mother, Brenda Ann Ware, was attending a game at Veterans Stadium, where fans hurled snowballs at her, one of which hit her. Ware said he considered abandoning his football duties to confront the fan, but restrained himself, allowing stadium security to handle the situation.
The incident left a lasting impression on Ware, who said it motivated him every time he played against the Eagles. He noted that the franchise’s former home, Veterans Stadium, had an on-site judicial court and jail cells to deal with unruly fans, which spoke to the strength of the fan base.
The latest incident has reignited stereotypes about the Eagles’ fan base, which has a reputation for aggressive behavior. The team has had a history of violence and unruly behavior from its fans, including a 1997 incident in which a fan shot a flare gun into the stands, putting multiple lives at risk.
In 2018, an Eagles fan was arrested for punching the horse of a Philadelphia police officer during an NFC divisional playoff game. After the team won the Super Bowl that year, violent riots broke out in the city, with reports of looting, destruction, and even unconfirmed explosions.
The Eagles’ fan base has a long history of abuse against women on the opposing side, and the latest incident is just the latest in a long line of incidents. Despite this, Ware still respects the dedication and passion of the fan base, acknowledging that they are “very, very strong-willed fans.”
