🏆 A boy and his trophy | Sports Daily Newsletter
The Eagles won the 1960 NFL title. He owns some of the hardware.

We move one day closer to Super Bowl LIX and the storylines continue to flow out of New Orleans, especially with Monday’s media night behind us. There will be plenty on the Eagles-Chiefs matchup as the week goes on. For now, let’s look at an offbeat story out of West Chester.
What if I told you there was a 15-year-old boy who owns a trophy from the Eagles' championship run in 1960? The same Eagles — Chuck Bednarik, Norm Van Brocklin and Co. — who beat Vince Lombardi’s Packers at Franklin Field.
Not only does Unionville High sophomore Liam Edelstein own the trophy, he sits on the couch with it as he watches Eagles games and rubs it for good luck. It’s hard to believe that the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is worth $50,000, will ever end up that way, but who knows? Matt Breen tells the story of how the teen inherited the trophy.
— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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âť“ Who will be the MVP of Super Bowl LIX and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
Coverage of Super Bowl media night can be found here.
Forget about Groundhog Day. The surest sign that spring is on its way is when the Phillies’ annual Truck Day rolls around. On Monday morning at Citizens Bank Park, three trucks were loaded with supplies the Phillies will need for spring training at their facilities in Clearwater, Fla. What did the Phanatic and Co. load on the trucks? Here’s the list.
While he’s had a tough season in his first year with the 76ers, Paul George has still drawn outside interest ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks contacted the Sixers about a possible deal for George. But The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey believes this might not be the time to move George, who has not had a full shot at making good on the Big Three he pledged to form with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world when they let go of their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic. The Sixers have gone in the opposite direction in recent years, even signing Embiid to an extension after he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. David Murphy suspects the Mavericks will end up discovering what the Sixers already knew: Often, the most reasonable thing to do is to be happy with what you have and deal with the consequences later.
The Eagles had both their running and passing games clicking in the NFC championship game, but the Chiefs will offer a different test altogether in the Super Bowl. Can Kansas City’s defense contain Saquon Barkley? Will the Chiefs blitz Jalen Hurts like there’s no tomorrow? Can their defensive backs keep A.J. Brown in check? EJ Smith addresses these and other questions in New Orleans.
On the other side of the ball, Reed Blankenship and rookie Cooper DeJean have become fast friends as the “Exciting Whites” in the Eagles secondary. Alex Coffey explains.
Eagles running back Will Shipley took time out Saturday to return to lacrosse, the sport he mastered in high school. Shipley joined the Philadelphia Wings for a shootaround.
Garry Mills of Philadelphia runs the nonprofit Shoot Basketballs NOT People. The Eagles gave him tickets to the Super Bowl long before they knew they’d be playing in it.
The Flyers have suddenly lost three straight and haven’t scored a goal in more than 180 minutes of action. Can they get back on track?
On Monday, the Flyers took that literally, as several of their players hopped on the speedskating track that surrounds the practice rink for the Utah Hockey Club. With Utah in its inaugural season, the team is temporarily practicing at the Utah Olympic Oval until its new facility is built.
The Flyers will hope a laid-back practice in a unique setting is just what the doctor ordered when they aim to snap their goalless drought Tuesday against Utah. If they don’t score in the first period, they will set a franchise record for futility.
Worth a look
Wooga’s world: Philly native Poplar hopes to push Villanova to an NCAA Tournament berth.
🧠Trivia time
Which Eagles quarterback passed for the most yards in the Super Bowl? First with the correct answer here will be featured in the newsletter.
A) Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV
B) Donovan McNabb in Super Bowl XXXIX
C) Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII
D) Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl LVII
The schedule
The Sixers host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at 7 (NBCSP+).
The Flyers visit the Utah Hockey Club tonight at 9 (NBCSP).
The Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Fox29).
What you’re saying about the Eagles
We asked you: What is your biggest concern about the Eagles going into the Super Bowl? Among your responses:
Worst fear … The red and yellow striped referees. — Hakim T.
The Eagles are the better team; in fact, the best team in the NFL. They are poised with the capability to win the Super Bowl over any opponent. There is one potential problem. It is only one game, and the ball is not round. It bounces oddly sometimes. Think of it this way: when a team is clearly better than all others, it will win 80% of the time. But then there is that 20%, which is triggered by a number of players having an “off game,” a series of bad officiating calls, or in-game injuries similar to what happened to the OL in the Commanders game. And I do think that Hurts is more prone to having a bad game than anyone else on the roster. It is the one position that isn’t a group, just one guy plays. That has been, and will continue to be greatest risk the Eagles confront in the game. — John W.
My first concern is the fact that the Eagles are playing a very good Chiefs team who have won the last two Super Bowls and possess a magician in Patrick Mahomes. They know how to win and have been tested and have prevailed in a number of close games this season. My other concern is with Jake Elliott. Will the Eagles be able to put points on the board during stalled drives when in the 45-55 yard FG range, as well as make every extra-point conversion? With this being an indoor game, longer range kicking proficiency could make the difference in winning or losing and Jake has had his share of issues in these two areas this season. — Jim V.
Top to bottom, the Eagles have a slightly better roster. But Kansas City has won 3 recent Super Bowls and has a terrific coach. Experience counts. By far, my biggest concern is the Kansas City pass rush and blitz package. Steve Spagnuolo is an excellent coach who knows how to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Hurts has been better of late against the blitz but still struggles at times. Most likely, this game comes down to who puts more pressure on the opposing quarterback. — Bart S.
My biggest Birds SB concern is Jake Elliott. How many points has he left off the scoreboard this season? And they certainly need a good, dependable kicker going up against KC. — Nick P.
Two biggest concerns are, can the offensive line handle the Chiefs' blitzing while still providing running room for Saquon and Jalen, and can our defensive line and linebackers disrupt Mahomes? Check out all the 2024 QB ratings and Mahomes is often 6th to 8th behind many QBs whose teams are not in the SB. Sam Darnold who the Rams destroyed is ranked on some before Mahomes. Mahomes is magic back there when it counts and gets rid of the ball quickly. He is the key and the Eagles need to seriously harass him. And yes, I think we can and will do it. Our Jalen is generally ranked far behind Jackson, Allen, Daniels, Burrows, and Mahomes, it is time for him to show the football world just how good he can be. — Everett S.
The Eagles LIMITING the number of big offensive plays by the Chiefs. — Virgil K.
I suggest the Eagles play the SB as if we do not have a FG kicker. This strategy is not about Elliott; simply put, field goals will not win this game. Like the Washington game, we need touchdowns to defeat the Chiefs. Play to win; don’t play not to lose. — Jack D.
Legitimately, my only one concern is our kicker. My vision is being down by 2, five seconds to play in the 4th quarter. Balls on the KC 35 yard line. If he makes it we win the Super Bowl. If he shanks it, well the Swifters can celebrate. But wait, Saint Nick has one more trick play up his sleeve. The ball is snapped, the holder throws the ball to Barkley who runs it in untouched for a game-winning touchdown. — Ron R.
My biggest concern is that Jalen Hurts has a subpar game. He’s had a very good playoff so far, but he still holds onto the ball way too long. Get rid of it quicker and don’t take those long sacks, they’re drive killers. — Tom G.
My biggest concern for the Eagles rests on the foot. To be more specific, the foot and head of the kicker Jake Elliott. He must stay focused on the purpose and mission of the kick. Miss just one and Andy will surely capitalize on it. Jake must perform as if Barkley isn’t on the roster. An accurate Jake performs his part, the rest of the Birds team will do the same in their collective parts. A miss will only serve to destroy the winning attitude embedded in his teammates. — John B.
Saquon Barkley’s snow-blanketed, 78-yard touchdown burst in the NFC divisional round against the L.A. Rams will go down as one of the greatest sequences in Eagles postseason history. Relive the MVP candidate’s memorable run. Listen here.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Alex Coffey, EJ Smith, Lochlahn March, Keith Pompey, David Murphy, Owen Hewitt, Isabella DiAmore, Jackie Spiegel, and Katie Lewis.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for reading. Bella will be at the newsletter controls on Wednesday. — Jim