Can the Rams beat the Eagles? |First things first
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 and will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wilde discuss whether the Rams can beat the Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell took issue with his actions during Sunday's playoff game against the Packers, and was caught on video slamming a Packers fan sitting nearby with a vulgar insult.
Caldwell was fired from his job as a project manager at BCT Partners after a video insulting him went viral. He apologized but defended himself, insisting his actions were “not unprovoked” and that the viral video “does not show the full picture” of what happened.
“Last Sunday, while I was at an NFL game to cheer on my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, something very disappointing happened,” Caldwell told the New York Post.
“An incident that started as a joke with two Packers fans sitting near me escalated into something more serious and I ended up saying something that is unacceptable. Among them, he had harsh words for one of his fans, Ms. Allie Keller.
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“For those words, I would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Keller, his wife, family, friends, former employers and co-workers, Packer fans, Eagle fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the city of Philadelphia, and everyone I offended.” No, there are two sides to every story.
“The video clips circulating online do not fully reflect what happened, and my actions were not without provocation. I intend to live with this experience and know that I made no mistake. For those who don't know me, this incident does not reflect my values or respect for others and is indicative of who I am as a person. It’s not even a thing.”
The viral video was filmed by Keller's fiance, Alexander Basara, and went viral on the internet days after the Eagles' 22-10 win.
News of Caldwell's apology and firing sparked a wave of celebration and ridicule by sports fans on social media.
“Okay, maybe that’s an okay excuse for a drunk guy who wandered into the stadium that day. But someone whose job it was to be inclusive? Hahahahahahahahahahaha Hahahahahahahahaha Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ”
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Another X user “loved it” after seeing the results that have befallen Caldwell in recent days.
“I really love how Philly Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell's life was 'turned upside down' after he abused a woman for no reason,” the user wrote. “I hope things get even worse, Ryan.”
Another X user described the public reaction to Caldwell's verbal attack as “social media justice.”
“Philadelphia Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell was fired from his job at BCT Partners after getting into an altercation with a Packers fan at last week's game. The altercation was circulating on the internet. This is a social justice act. Not social media justice,” the user wrote.
One X user wrote that Caldwell's actions were not an isolated incident and that similar words often come out of the mouths of Eagles fans.
Philadelphia Eagles fans watch the NFC Wild Card Game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia. (Eric Hartline-Imagine Images)
“And Eagles fans are wondering why everyone hates the Eagles and their team. This is not an unusual incident for someone who showed up there to cheer on the opposing team. Things like this It happens all the time there,” the user wrote.
Conservative film director Matt Walsh also weighed in on the controversy.
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“Here are a few things: 1) Eagles fans are stupid, shitty thugs. 2) Stop bringing your fiancée to a Philadelphia game wearing the opposing team's jersey. 3) You can't let a man talk to your woman like that, you'll have to live with that shame for the rest of your life,'' Walsh said. wrote to X.
Eagles fans have a long history of unruly behavior.
Veterans Stadium, the franchise's former home, had an on-site justice court and cells to deal with fans who broke the law.
Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate after a second half of the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 4, 2022 in Philadelphia. (Scott Tetch/Getty Images)
During a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in November 1997, a fan infamously fired a smoke bomb into the crowd. Multiple fights broke out between fans at the game, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie addressed the incidents.
“Even though we feel like we've made great strides in recent years in terms of fan behavior at Veterans Stadium, what we witnessed last Monday was definitely a step backwards,” Lurie said. told reporters at the time.
The Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday with a berth to the NFC Championship Game on the line.
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