Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Golden Moment Gives Way to Outrageous Error
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, in a moment of either sports fervor or elementary education one-upmanship, mispronounced the name of her hometown Eagles team during a speech on Sunday. The mistake led to widespread mockery that spread like wildfire on social media and beyond.
Determined to lead the crowd in a signature chant, Parker’s enthusiasm got the better of her, resulting in a mispronunciation of the team name, substituting “E-L-G-S-E-S” for the more familiar “E-A-G-L-E-S.” A misstep that has been immortalized in cyberspace, where one enterprising sports apparel business, “Philly Goat,” has already created a T-shirt with the offending phrase emblazoned on the chest.
Speaking at a press conference, Parker sought to take the high road, admitting sheepishly, “I don’t promise perfection, I’m so happy I never have, especially after I couldn’t spell Eagles right,” prompting her press corps companions to share in the amusement. This lighthearted attitude only adds to the mayor’s endearing quality, as she’s still reeling from her historic victory in last year’s mayoral election, unseating a male incumbent and becoming the first woman mayor in the city’s history.
With the Eagles still fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl, this minor blip is unlikely to affect the city’s collective trepidation or Parker’s influence in shaping the city’s future. Meanwhile, fans will no doubt be cocking a wary eye, eager to see whether this philosophical open-mindedness extends to their team’s chances of capturing the Vince Lombardi Trophy.