Philly Fanatic: An Eagles fan’s dream

Philly Fanatic

By Wally Langfellow

John Schneider is a die hard Philadelphia Eagles fan. The 40 year old has been going to Eagles home games since he was 14 years old. At the age of 17 however, life took an unexpected turn for the Philadelphia native when he was paralyzed in an auto accident and has been bound to a wheelchair since then.

Schneider’s love for his Eagles has some deep roots. And so do the season tickets that he now enjoys. Shortly after his crippling accident, Schneider was paid a visit by Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, who presented Schneider with season tickets. His family has kept buying those tickets, now in their 24th year of doing so. As it turns out, it was quite a gift. According to published reports there are now over 40,000 people on the waiting list to buy Eagles season tickets. “People don’t give them up” Schneider said. (When they die) “they just leave them for their kids.”

Them are fightin’ words

Of course back in the 90’s, Schneider was going to games at the old Vet (Veterans Stadium). “It was dangerous going to those games” he said with a smile on his face. “You wouldn’t be safe there. There were fights breaking out all the time. I got into a few of them myself” he said laughing. “But I guess you do stuff like that when you’re in your 20’s.”

At this year’s NFC Championship game against the Vikings Schneider sat in the neatly carved out handicap season ticket section he’s been sitting in since Lincoln Financial Field was built in 2003. It’s certainly not the old Vet,  and at $1100 per seat Schneider and his family forked out a pretty penny to finally see his Eagles get a chance to get back to the Super Bowl.  

“I remember 2004” said Schneider referring to the Eagles heartbreaking 24-21 loss in Super Bowl XXXIX to the Patriots. “That was really tough”.

Schneider then turned his attention back to the Eagles and Vikings as Corey Graham snatched an interception deep in Minnesota territory to seal the deal for the Eagles. Schneider’s face exploded with joy “We’re going to the Super Bowl!” he yelled.  

Minnesota Bound?

So will he be in Minneapolis for this year’s game? “We don’t know. We hope so. We’re in a lottery with all the season ticket holders.”

Schneider has only seen one Super Bowl in person. Ironically it was Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis when the Redskins beat the Bills. A family member won tickets in a lottery and off to Minneapolis he went. “Last time I was there it was the AFC East champ (Buffalo) against the NFC East champ (Washington, who won the game). This year’s it’s the same thing. AFC East (New England) against the NFC East (Philadelphia).”

Schneider would like nothing more than to see the NFC East team win it again in Minnesota and  in turn bring home the Eagles first-ever Super Bowl title. But more importantly he turns to this reporter and asks “Will they still have that ice castle again?” . Not sure John, but we do have a zip line across the frozen Mississippi.