As philadelphia eagle fans face national criticism following a viral video of one verbally attacking a woman, star running back Saquon Barkley, comes to their defense.
While the Eagles face the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional playoff game on Sunday, the Rams are playing Jared Vers expressed his hatred of Eagles fans in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Verse’s comments came days after Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell was fired when the video of him insulting a female Green Bay Packers fan during a playoff game last Sunday went viral.
“I hate Eagles fans,” Verse said. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”
Barkley was asked by reporters about Verse’s pre-game comments, and suggested the Rams rookie’s decision to say those things was “not smart.”
“Probably not the smartest thing to say when you come to Philadelphia,” Barkley told reporters Friday.
Barkley cited his previous experience coming up as an opponent in Philadelphia while with the New York Giants from 2018-2023.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) walks out of the tunnel before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-Imagn images)
“I’ve been on the other side, I’ve felt one way or another,” Barkley said. “I probably wouldn’t give them extra fuel.”
Barkley expects Verse to receive a particularly rude greeting when he takes the field on Sunday.
“I’m pretty sure Philly fans saw that comment. It would already be loud and rocking, so it’ll just add to it,” Barkley said.
Eagles defenseman Darius Slay also weighed in on Verse’s comments, warning that snow in the forecast could lead to fans throwing snowballs.
“He’s not the first person to hate Eagles fans. There are a lot of people who don’t like Eagles fans. There are people who played for the Eagles who don’t like Eagles fans,” Slay told reporters Fridat. ‘That’s just part of the sport.
“I think the Eagles fans are excited either way. They (don’t) have to say another word. And if there’s snow, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s snowballs being thrown on the sidelines.”
Verse is just one of the harsh vocal critics from Eagles fans in the wake of Caldwell’s viral images. Verse said that despite the game being in Los Angeles, he harassed Eagles fans despite wearing headphones.
“I didn’t even do anything about it. It was my first time playing. Oh, I hate Eagles fans,” Verse said.
The Eagles won that game 37-20, and Barkley went wild, amassing 302 scrimmage yards, including 255 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (right) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. (Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Caldwell was fired from his job as a project manager at BCT Partners after a video of his insults went viral. He has apologized but has also defended himself, insisting that his actions “were not without provocation” and that the viral video “does not show the full context” of what happened.
“While attending an NFL game last Sunday to support my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, an incident occurred that I deeply regret,” Caldwell said in a statement.
“What started as banter with two Packers fans sitting next to me escalated into something more serious, and I said things that were unacceptable. In the heat of the moment, I chose ruthless words to address one of the fans, Ms. Ally Keller.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to Ms. Keller for these words, and to my wife, family and friends, my former employer and colleagues, Packer fans, Eagle fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the city of Philadelphia and anyone who was offended. That said, there are two sides to every story.
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Ryan Caldwell was identified as the fan who hurled taunts at a Packers fan. (X/@Basaraski)
“The video clip circulating online does not provide the full context of what happened, and my actions were not without provocation. I will live with this experience, and I am certainly paying a personal price. For those who don’t know me, this is an incident does not reflect my values or the respect I have for others and is not indicative of the person I am.”
The viral video was filmed by Keller’s fiancée, Alexander Basara, and quickly spread across the internet in the days following the Eagles’ 22-10 win.
Caldwell’s apology and news of his firing sparked a wave of celebration and ridicule among sports fans on social media.
Eagles fans have a long history of unruly behavior.
The franchise’s former home, Veterans Stadium, had a judicial court and jail cells on site to handle law-breaking fans.
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