The City of Brotherly of Love might be beyond saving after a recent transgression in which an Eagles fan, identified as Ryan Caldwell, harᴀssed a Packers fan, calling her an “ugly dumb c–t.”
Legendary wide receiver Cris Carter, who was drafted by and spent three seasons with the Eagles from 1987-1990, sounded none too surprised at the Philadelphia fan’s behavior.
“I don’t think the Philly fans are going to change the way they live their life,” Carter told Casino Apps. “There have been many people that have been ᴀssaulted by Philly fans. Even if Minnesota had won that game [against the Rams], I wouldn’t go to Philly. I wouldn’t go to a game even if I was sitting in the owner’s box. They are in your face, and if you are wearing opposing colors, it’s even worse.”
The video of Caldwell’s gross interaction during Sunday’s wild-card game viral and the ramifications have been swift.
Caldwell was fired from his job at BCT Partners, a DEI-focused firm in New Jersey, and has been banned from Lincoln Financial Field.
It’s far from the first Eagles fan encounter that’s garnered national notoriety.
The same was not possible for other notable Eagles fan outbursts in history, including when fans threw snowballs at Santa in 1968 and when they attacked the then-Washington Redskins unofficial mascot in 1983.
Chief Zee was attacked twice by Eagles fans, eventually leading to a broken leg and being wheelchair and crutches for the remainder of the year.
Philadelphia fans also memorably rioted in the streets after watching the Villanova Wildcats and Eagles win their respective championships in 2017 and 2018, lighting fire and breaking things in their wake.
Carter, who caught 11 touchdowns in his third season for 605 yards in 1989, saw plenty during his time in Philly and throughout his 16-year NFL career, which saw him rise to stardom with the Minnesota Vikings en route to eight Pro Bowl appearances and Pro Football Hall of Fame honors in 2013.
Carter went on to work for ESPN and Fox Sports after he retired in 2002 and is now the executive director of player engagement at Florida Atlantic University.
It wasn’t just the fans that doled out the abuse during Carter’s time in Philly.
The eight-time Pro Bowler was cut for substance abuse by the Eagles after his third season in 1989, prompting Buddy Ryan — father of former Jets coach Rex Ryan — to say that “all he can do is catch touchdowns.”
