Ok – it’s time to complain about Training Camp — once again.
It’s not the fault of the Philadelphia Eagles — it’s the modern NFL and the modern society that we live in.
Today’s paramount concern is more about safety than it is about the fan experience itself — while still allowing fans to see top draft picks, free agents, and UDFA’s alike.
The opportunity to see your favorite team in the early days of August isn’t a national secret. It’s not a moon landing. Watching the very beginnings of a new NFL season shouldn’t be shrouded in mystery , least of all from the fans that it depends upon. It’s part of giving back to the fans.
Ninety years ago , the Eagles moved Training Camp from a two-year stay in Atlantic City back to Philadelphia.
Those who saw the team practice at Chestnut Hill Academy back in August of 1935 (my Grandpop among them) had a vastly different experience than the one offered by the NFL today. Onlookers could walk onto the sideline, each lunch not far from the field, and even interact with players. For many fans , it was the only opportunity to see the Eagles, as most games were only on the radio during the season – with none of these betting app bonus that you see nowadays.
Sixty years later, when I attended my first camp — the experience was still overwhelming for a sixteen-year-old boy — but still greatly diminished. Barriers and taped walkways kept you a distance away from the field (but still ended you back up at the gift tent) with a limited walkaround of the field separated by position group (offense, defense, special teams).
Now the Eagles relegate the fan experience to one public practice in the August heat.
They sit in the bleachers rather than being right up close to the players. It’s not the experience that Grandpop had back in 1935 — but it is, however, still an experience.
One with the world champions.
But not one that it once was.
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