Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers Throw Respectful Fuel on the Philly Fan Fire
“Philly fans threw snowballs at Santa and [insert other lame thing that happened years ago here]” pieces pop up with every single big Eagles home game. We’re used to it, no matter how tired, cliché, and boring it really is. Of course, because it’s a Monday Night game, the Packers were asked about it. It’s how this all goes.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky drew the short straw and had to ask Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy, Jordy Nelson, and more about Philly’s reputation as a “tough fanbase” (read: assholes). Rodgers had some memories, but fond ones:
“When we used to be introduced individually on the road — now we just get introduced as a team — they were famous for, it would be the name [of the player] and then ‘sucks!’ … You guys remember that if you remember being out there … Some things with stadiums … stick out and you remember.”
One of Rodgers’ early visits to Philadelphia sticks in his mind. As Brett Favre’s backup on Monday Night Football on Oct. 2, 2006, the Packers lost to the Eagles 31-9, and Rodgers spent the game on the bench. One fan wouldn’t let him forget it.
“[He was] screaming and yelling at me about getting the splinters out of my butt,” Rodgers said.
Except he didn’t use butt, and he never stopped the entire game.
“I give them credit,” Rodgers said. “A good trash talk is tough to do. They’re some of the best fans.”
And Jordy Nelson? He’s kinda into it:
“The only thing I remember is they chuck eggs at you on the bus as you come down off the interstate into the stadium,” Packers receiver Jordy Nelson said.
Nelson said he actually enjoys the bus ride in.
“It’s not my bus, so I’m not worried about it,” he said.
Not my bus, not my problem is a solid life strategy.
To be honest, it’s refreshing to have all this “bad fan” bullshit brought up and have players react to it like the minute, non-story it is. Plus, I’m pretty sure they just gave you permission to egg their bus, if that’s what you’re into. Makes it less fun now, though.