NEW ORLEANS – Everyone knows by now that Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean will celebrate their birthdays on Super Bowl Sunday.
Needless to say, they’ll need a few more to catch up with Eloise Brown, who might just be the oldest Eagles fan in the world.
Brown captured the hearts of the Eagles earlier this season, celebrating her birthday at the NFC East Division-clinching win over the Dallas Cowboys on December 29. She turned 102 one week earlier on December 22.
The team presented Brown, a lifelong Philadelphia native, with a custom-made No. 102 jersey as she met and took photos with several players as well as Head Coach Nick Sirianni who had the game ball from the win.
Looking for a little extra good luck on Super Bowl Sunday, the Eagles provided Brown and her family members with tickets to attend the game. Team President Don Smolenski, who presented Brown with the custom-made jersey in December, surprised Brown with the news on a videoconference call on Tuesday. Brown, a great-great-grandmother, celebrated and her family erupted with joy.
“She was happy, smiling. It just makes you take a step back and think about how she was born in 1922. She lived through the Great Depression, World War II. I mean, so much, right, and what helps keep her going is the Philadelphia Eagles. How amazing is that?” Smolenski said.
“I have the privilege to serve in a capacity to represent the organization all throughout the community across Eagles fans everywhere. The opportunity to share in the experience is what makes going to the Super Bowl special. It’s a highlight that I’ll remember from my time with the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Brown traveled to New Orleans as a guest of the team on Friday. A special visitor, someone who shares her surname, was waiting to greet her at the Eagles’ hotel.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown presented Ms. Brown with an autographed Kelly Green No. 11 Brown jersey. Ms. Brown was smiling from ear-to-ear, wearing her Midnight Green jersey earrings that bear A.J. Brown’s No. 11 on them. The two spoke for a few minutes and A.J. Brown posed for photos.
Eloise Brown has cited her love for family, faith, and football as keys to living – no, thriving after more than 100 years on this planet. And on Sunday, she’ll have all three together as the Eagles play in Super Bowl LIX.
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