As you know, Sister Brooks is a big Eagles (Iggles as pronounced in Philly) fan. Our T.O., #81, has been taken out for what appears to be the rest of the season by an ankle injury. So far we are 13-1. Do you think we will make it to the Super Bowl or will this be another year of disappointment? La me!!! ;-(

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Answers

Honestly Mary, I will never understand why Eagle fans like my wife, daughter, West Philly in-laws, yourself, Vernon Byrd, Jr. and others willingly build up all of this hope only to allow for another year of heart-break, disappointment and underachievement. I won't be in Philly this Christmas to hear the whinners on the radio program WIP. Nine (9) Eagles were named to this year's Pro Bowl Game in Honolulu. Only four were deserving - McNabb, Owens, Tra Thomas & Jeremiah Trotter. I would have selected Jevon Kearse as well. Even with a healthy TO the Eagles were NOT going to win the Super Bowl. I played wide receiver in high school so maybe Donovan should give me a "shout" since I catch just as good as Todd "alligatot arms" Pinkston. Winning the Super Bowl is what matters. Runner-ups are just 1st place losers :-) QED

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Come on to Philly Bill. I will call Andy and tell him you are replacing Pinkston. It sure can't hurt.

This may be the year of the underdog. If the Bosox can make it, perhaps the Iggles can too! You know, I do believe in miracles.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Don't bang me on on this one, but I'm cheering my COLTS to victory. (I say in a wee small voice) :-)

Carmen

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Living in Montana we have no professional sport teams. But I feel like I want to cheer for a foot ball team. Which one should I chose.

I am asking the board members to tell me why I should choose your favorite team. I also want to be international so please tell me what soccer team I should chose (football)

When offering your suggestions, let me know how your team has been doing.

Thanks

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Well Denise considering your hometown team, Cleveland Browns, has been an utter disaster this year, I would recommend you root for the team close to where you live. Given your Rocky Mt. location the choices are either the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks. Both of these teams are trying to make the playoffs so your rooting may be very short-lived. As for myself I'm firmly in Carmen's camp. The Indiannapolis Colts have a high-powered offense and are led by their classy and dignified head coach ( a brother) Tony Dungy. Coach Dungy was the lone NFL public voice who criticized ABC for showing that steamy, sensual segment where a naked white actress leapt into the "receiving" arms of Terrell Owens last month before a Monday Night Football game. QED

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Rev. Rogers, Here are just a few reasons to cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles.

1. The Eagles season is 13 and 1. (Our best and not bad for the NFL either.)

2. Donovan McNabb. His mother and father raised him to be polite and kind to strangers. Here is my McNabb story. I met Donovan McNabb briefly on South Street around three or four years ago.(South Street is down the street from the church.) His face was a familiar one, but I did not immediately recognize him. I thought he was a YPDer. In any event, I spoke to him briefly. He was very polite and agreeable. I later recognized him and acknowledged him as an Eagle. He just laughed.

3. The Philadelphia fans are just plain sick and tired of waiting for a championship. We need a parade in this city.

4. Our team has the cuter players. (Not the cutest coach- admittedly- Tony Dungy is fine.)

5. The Philadelphia Eagles uniforms are nice. They changed to a deeper shade of green.

6. The Philadelphia Eagles are from Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection. The place of Richard Allen's birth. The place where Richard and Sarah were married and began the AME Church. The city that birthed America.

7. Any other reason you can possibly think of. ;-)

8. Forget the TO Incident on Monday Night Football. Yeah! He was wrong and admitted it after everyone else told him he was, but don't hold it against him.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Mary what incident happened on Monday? Now be truthful, ..... so far the bronco's sound good to me. I just can't root for anything out of seattle,. I am an ex new yorker, so I need a tough team;-)

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Ok! Other reasons to cheer for Philadelphia.

1. New York is closer to Philadelphia! 2. A naked woman jumped into the arms of T.O. during a Monday Night Football segment. I did not see it on TV, nor do I know what they were promoting, but indeed, it was tasteless and shameful. Unfortunately, in America sex sells. To be quite honest, I was proud of Tony Dungy when he spoke up. He is indeed an honorable man.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Oops...Tony Dungy is a one up for the Colts!

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Mary, this is a tough decision. Mary am I going to be laughed at for rooting for the eagles. Don't they lose each year.

Does Mother Bethel have any eagles members?

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Mary, I just looked at the bronco's website. I am going to be a bronco fan!! There colors are orange and blue, and there are just so many more I can do with orange and blue.

I'm just not feeling the green uniforms. Sorry Mary, if the eagles get a different color uniform let me know. I will reconsider.

Now it is the Bronco's all the way.

Mary you should switch your team always loses and they are hanging out with naked women.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Yes. Unfortunately, each year the Eagles are the brides maids and never the bride. Each year we are the NFC East Champions and never go any further. La me!

And no, we do not have any Eagles as our members. On any given Sunday, Mother Bethel has visitors from all over the world. Our church welcome is printed in six different languages. I work as a museum docent and I have met people from different countries, colors and religions. They are all fascinated by the Richard Allen story. However, few African Americans in the city of Philadelphia know of our church or the quality museum. On one occasion, I had to explain to a young couple from the Richard Allen Projects just who Richard Allen was. The only thing they knew of Richard Allen was Ram Squad, a notorious rap group from the RA Projects.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

OK! Sister Denise. Cheer for the Colts. You, Carmen and Bill are still number ones with me.

I, however, remain a loyal Eagles Fan. I have my Eagles hat to wear to the parade. ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

If there is anyone else that I can convince to join me, go here.

www.philadelphiaeagles.com/default.jsp

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Mary, I do so love you! You are my biological sister. And please call me Denise.

Come and joing me with the bronco's. They are a lot more fun.

Any bronco fans!

Please check out my teams web page. Great uniforms.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/index.php

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

The Eagles are the Rams of the NFC East.

. This means that they're going to move twice (hopefully out here), and then win the Big Enchilada.

Muahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Keep in mind, however, I am a Cowboys fan....

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2004

Rev. Harper:

Now, that is NOT funny!!!!

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2004

I found the Eagles very "offensive" tonight. In losing to lousy Rams they really disappointed a lot of would-be fans. This is the regular season but they played the game as if it was preseason. I understand why they did it. But why did they have to give benefit to the Rams. Okay, Okay, I'll take chill pill but they lost to the Rams! Mary what can say about this?

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2004

I did not watch the game. Throughout the city the loss was anticipated as the Eagles were basically playing their bench to avoid any further injuries before the playoffs. T.O. was a wake-up call.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2004

Andy Reid's coaching strategy of "resting players key players" is risky, reckless and irresponsible. First, when you get on the field you play to win. Philly essentially conceded defeat before the kickoff. That decision is cowardly and sets a poor example for team morale. Regular season games are NOT pre-season games!!! Second, how do you explain to other starting players who are not "resting" that their contributions are valued just like McNabb, Kearse and others who were held out? This strategy promotes envy and is a poison for team chemnistry. Also, you have a bye so that is the time to rest ALL of your players, not just a favored few. Third, you want to enter the playoffs on a winning note not a losing streak. Will the Eagles roll over and conceded defeat next week as well? Momentum is key in football. Injuries are a part of the game that's why you MUST have DEPTH. Philly is good but they are not the '72 Dolphins, '85 Bears or '89 Forty Niners. McNabb is good but he is no Randall Cunningham. They need to be playing well heading into the playoffs. We'll see soon whether Reid is a genius or a buffoon. QED

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2004

I admire the passion fans in Philly have towards the hometown team! Boy, the bandwagon is quite full these days...! Ol'Ray has suffered this year with the rest of the Dolfans..."oh Lawd...how can Ricky be sooooooo whack!" Since I last posted a message, I have changed venues...now residing in the "Big D...and I don't mean Dallas!" The Lions are pitiful... So all of you Philly Fans...you will get no sympathy from me...I feel your pain! As we in the Dolfan faithful like to say to each other...."wait until next year!"

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2004