Philadelphians often say no one is as dedicated to their sports team as much as an Eagles fan, and Alisa Cornell, athletic trainer at the Bradford Area High School, is no exception.

On Thursday, Cornell was one of the many Eagles fans who flooded Philadelphia to experience the championship parade following the team’s first Super Bowl win.

Originally from Philadelphia, Cornell said she grew up an Eagles fan, and she has heard it all.

“My whole life this team and by extension the city seemed like a punchline for people, since we never won a Super Bowl,” she said. “This a day for everyone from Philadelphia to feel like champions.”

Cornell made it to the city around 9 a.m. amidst endless vehicular and pedestrian traffic. She made her way down to Logan Square and waited for the parade to make it down her way among other anxious fans.

The temperature in Philadelphia was near 20 degrees, and Cornell said the tall buildings created sharp winds that made it worse, but the fans pushed through.

“We all huddled so closely together we could barely feel it. It took until about 1:30 p.m. for the parade to make it our way,” she said. “The cheers were almost deafening when we saw the parade approaching.”
Several two-tier buses met the eager parade goers. Cornell said the team’s players rode atop the buses, with several of their friends and family along for the ride.

When asked if the parade was similar to the aftermath of the Super Bowl in Philadelphia, where thousands of fans ran into the streets to celebrate in destructive fashion, Cornell said Thursday was the complete opposite.

“Everyone was out there to have a good time, and we helped each other move through the crowds. Really everyone was extremely nice and helpful,” she said. “We all have our terrible fans, but that wasn’t the case for the parade. It was a moment Philadelphia could be proud of.”