From Wentz They Came

So I've had this picture in my mind all throughout the Philadelphia Eagles' winning season of my oldest brother Brian smiling big, high-fiving my father after each Bird's victory.

The image is vivid and real as if they were standing right before me. And I'm not so sure that somehow they aren't.

My brother, Brian 

The day this past June that Brian, "Pridewell" we call him, passed onto a better place, I decided in his honor to buy an Eagles baseball cap, like the one he gave me for Christmas about 15 years ago shortly after our Dad passed.

I had lost the original Eagles cap and weeks earlier had spotted its match on a revolving rack of sports teams hats at a shop around the corner; it was the only black Eagles cap with a silver and green eagle head on its crest.

That June Day 

Brian was a huge Eagles fan, having been indoctrinated at a young age by my father Jack McKinney, former Eagles beat writer for the Philadelphia Daily News the year, 1960, Philly captured its last NFL championship.

Throughout his life, Brian treasured his memories, as a boy of 9 or 10, meeting many of the 1960 Champion Eagles, including one of his favorites, "Mr. Touchdown" Tommy McDonald.

My father Philadelphia Daily News' Sports Writer Jack McKinney plays a football game with his friend, Eagles' quarterback Norm Van Brocklin around 1960 when the Eagles won their last championship.

My Dad called the Eagles championship season "the magical season." This Eagles' season, despite it's share of injury disappointments, has been something special, as well.

And it's not over. As I've said for the last few weeks to my brothers, Sean and Brendan and sister Maura (whose birthday it is today), the "Eagles won't forget from Wentz they came."

Maura's SuperBowl
Birthday cake.

There's a big picture message here in the Philadelphia Eagle's success for folks who care to see it.

It's there in Carson Wentz's total committment to his team, despite his season ending injury. It's there in the players' committment to themselves and eachother. It's there in their humility.

Winners are humble and confident -- not cocky. Winners believe in themselves and eachother -- and don't tear eachother down. Winners are leaders who work for the common good.

Our country could use a message like that right about now. Go Birds!

And here's to my Ol' Da' and Pridewell watching the Super Bowl on that giant flatscreen in the sky. Let's get this one.

I'll be wearing my Eagle's hat.