A rivalry has been reignited.Â
Philadelphia is set to host the NFC championship game on Sunday between the Eagles and the visiting Washington Commanders.Â
Before the game, the iconic Rocky statue in downtown Philadelphia was dressed in gear representing the Commanders’ former identity, the Redskins.Â
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The perpetrator remains unknown.Â
Dressing the statue in the gear of opposing teams has become a tradition before big Eagles playoff games in recent years. Each time it has happened, the Eagles have emerged victorious.Â
In 2022, the statue was adorned in New York Giants gear before their clash with the Eagles in the divisional round. The Eagles won that game 38-7. The following week, the statue wore San Francisco 49ers gear prior to the NFC championship game against the Niners. The Eagles triumphed in that game, 31-7.Â
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During the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory in the 2017 season, the statue was also dressed in the gear of the opposing team.Â
Before the NFC championship game that season between the Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings, the statue sported a Vikings jersey, and the Eagles won 38-7. Ahead of the Super Bowl, a New England Patriots jersey was placed on the statue, and the Eagles defeated the Patriots 41-33 to capture their first Super Bowl title.Â
The vandalism occurred so frequently that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce urged his own fan base not to dress the statue in any Chiefs gear before the 2023 Super Bowl. The Chiefs emerged victorious in that game, winning 38-35.
“Chiefs, do not touch the f—ing Rocky memorial!” Kelce exclaimed during a February 2023 episode of his podcast, “New Heights.” Â
“Do not do that and definitely don’t put a No. 87 on it!”
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Former Eagles center Jason Kelce, who faced off against Travis and the Chiefs in that game, speculated that the culprit was likely an Eagles fan.Â
“To be honest, I think someone from Philadelphia is behind this now,” Jason Kelce declared.Â
“I don’t believe this is the work of opposing teams anymore. It’s most likely a Philadelphia fan who is dressing the statue in these shirts to fire everyone up, and it’s working exceptionally well.Â
“So, keep it up. I bet you. There’s no way. Because it has happened every single game. The Giants did it. The 49ers did it. There will probably be a Chiefs jersey on it this week.”
Now, Washington is next in line and will aim to break the pattern.Â
It will be the first time the rivals have clashed in a conference championship game, marking a significant moment in a rivalry that has been quiet in recent years due to Washington’s struggles in the playoffs since the 1990s.Â
The 2024 season saw Washington win a playoff game for the first time since 2005 and make their first conference championship appearance since 1991.Â
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