Vice documentary details the history of the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry – Bleeding Green Nation

One thing overzealous fans have in common? They think theyre a part of the team.

Ive been watching a Vice documentary series over the last week called Dark Side of Football. It takes a look at scandals, wrongdoings, cheating and crimes throughout the NFLs history. The sixth and final episode is entitled FANatics and aired back in June.

If youre going to do an episode on the dark side of football fandom, it makes a whole lot of sense to chronicle Eagles fans. Vice specifically reports on how the teams rivalry with the Cowboys affects the collective psyche and actions of Eagles fans.

As it begins, former Eagles All-Pro returner Darren Sproles says, Eagles fans... theyre probably the craziest to me.

Hes not wrong!

Other pundits and players involved in the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry chime in.

Former All-Pro tight end Chad Lewis reflects on going to the first practice of his Eagles career, arriving at training camp and being greeted by loads of Eagles fans hammering home the requirement of beating Dallas twice per year.

I think Philadelphia fans earn a bad rap, Lewis says. They want you to know if you come into Philadelphia, were going to drive you out of this stadium.

Thats a tough one, Chad!

Yes, the documentary does mention snowballs, from Santa Claus to the time the Cowboys players got pelted with them. Still, Vice dives into the sociological aspects of Eagles fans behavior, going beyond dumb hot takes and anti-Philly bias. One social psychologist ultimately compares football to a religion, touching upon fans long-held rituals and the tradition of it happening once per week on Sundays.

Its not some character assassination upon Eagles fans. Its a glimpse into the franchises long history with the Cowboys and what makes us Eagles fans tick.

They just care so much that if you dont play well or things go bad, they get so angry, former Eagles punter Sean Landeta says. Its like a family member. They hate you as much as they love you.

One aspect, however, that wasnt given proper context was the Eagles Week 7 win over the Cowboys in 1987. NFL players went on strike that season. Many Cowboys stars crossed the picket line, blowing out the Eagles back in Week 5 while the Eagles team was filled with scab replacement players.

When the strike ended, then Eagles coach Buddy Ryan didnt forget Dallas and their head coach, Tom Landry, running up the score while the Eagles were undermanned.

The Eagles, in turn, gave the Cowboys some payback. Running a fake kneel down near the end of regulation, quarterback Randall Cunningham launched a pass towards the end zone, drawing a defensive pass interference call. Keith Byars plowed in from one yard out to give the Birds the 37-20 win.

Tom Landry would never do that to anybody. a Cowboys player said.

Thats a blatant lie, as it had happened just two weeks prior.

Some Cowboys players are on the doc throwing tantrums about the Eagles showing up a legendary coach.

Calm the hell down!

If you want more info on the Eagles and Cowboys that season, I cannot recommend enough this video from SB Nations Jon Bois: Randall Cunningham Seizes the Means of Production.

If you got a normal job, if youre a normal working schlub, you go to work 9-to-5, you have the opportunity to affect the performance of a multimillion-dollar professional athlete, Fox Sports Radios Ben Maller says. That is the ultimate prize for a certain percentage of fans.

I feel that in my heart of hearts.

Vice goes on to shed light on the Bounty Bowls, Michael Irvins final NFL game, Judge Seamus McCafferys court in Veterans Stadium and more things that have given Eagles fans the reputation that they have.

When the episode gets closer to its end, the documentary depicts the joy Eagles fans had when the team won Super Bowl LII and the cathartic emotional impact it had. I can sure agree given the impact its had on me.

The whole city of Philadelphia was there, Sproles says of the way Eagles fans celebrated through the streets.

It meant a lot to us. As the first group to bring it to Philly, well go in the history books for that.

Thats all we wanted in the end: for our batshit wild obsession to give back as much as we gave to it.

If you want to watch the episode, heres the link to it on Vices website. You need to sign in with your cable provider to watch. Personally, I just said Vice On Demand into the Xfinity voice remote and found it that way.

Its worth a watch for sure!

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Vice documentary details the history of the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry - Bleeding Green Nation