By Tim Kelly
If you thought fan euphoria was wearing off after the Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship in franchise history, you weren’t in Ocean City on Saturday.
Thousands of fans lined the Boardwalk for a motorcade featuring tight end Brent Celek, the longest tenured member of the team before he was released recently; and kicker Jake Elliott, whose 62-yard field goal beat the New York Giants and ignited the team’s run to the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
What followed was an unlikely march through the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional playoffs, Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game, and of course the 41-33 win over the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LII.
The mini-parade was a most anticipated feature of Sports Memorabilia and Collection Show Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Music Pier.
As the players rolled by seated in Ocean City Beach Patrol boats, the fans sang the “Fly Eagles Fly” fight song, broke out in Eagles’ chants, and yelled comments of encouragement to the two players.
“Thank you!” was the most-heard greeting for the long-suffering fans, who never before tasted a Super Bowl win. “No, thank you,” Celek yelled back. “You guys are as much a part of it as we are.”
Fannie Perrucci of Horsham, PA was waiting on a boardwalk bench in her Brent Celek jersey with husband Russell, daughter Reese, 7, and son Chase, 4.
“I want to tell (Celek) congratulations, and you deserve it,” she said.
A third Eagle player, Corey Clement was not part of the motorcade, arriving in his restored Dodge Charger.
The undrafted free agent, a native of Glassboro New Jersey, called the season, “Unbelievable. Fantastic. Most rookies don’t have a year like I was blessed to enjoy. But now (other teams will be) gunning for us,” Clement said. “Now we have to defend our title.”
Elliott was a late replacement for the other scheduled Eagles participant, offensive guard Brandon Brooks, who had a family emergency. Elliot’s autograph area was on the Music Pier stage, and many fans said they were not disappointed by the substitution.
“Jake’s fourth quarter field goal was one of the most important plays of the game,” said a fan waiting in line. “His kick put us up by eight points, meaning (Tom) Brady needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion just to tie the game. If he misses that field goal, all he needs is a touchdown to win it. I want to thank him for that.”
Brandon Burchell of Northfield had his Eagles guitar signed by Corey Clement on Saturday at the sports memorabilia show at the Music Pier.
Fans who missed the show on Saturday still have a chance to attend on Sunday. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.
Fans who want an autograph and photo may purchase $45 tickets at the City Hall Welcome Center, Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 Causeway or at the door, until sold out.
