Superbowl rivalry reaches back into history:
Betsy Ross threw down the gauntlet with Paul Revere on Jan. 29 outside the Betsy Ross House in Old City.
"I am sure that everyone knows me as a patriot," a historical re-enactor playing Ross said. "But today, today I shall proudly proclaim to be a loyalist -- an Eagles loyalist."
Ross led a crowd in a rendition of "Fly Eagles Fly."
But the festivities were interrupted by the arrival of a re-enactor portraying famous Revolutionary War hero and Bostonian Paul Revere.
"Eagles are no match for the mighty Patriots," Revere told Ross. "We will make short work of this on the battlefield and send your birds back to Philadelphia in shame."
With that, a wager was struck. If the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl, Ross will hang two of Revere's lanterns atop her house. If the Philadelphia Eagles are victorious, then Old North Church in Boston will hang her stars and stripes flag.
"Those Bostonians, I sometimes think that they have puffed themselves up so much, just like a proverbial Boston cream pie," Ross told the crowd as Revere left. "They should remember that pride goeth before a fall. And those Patriots will fall to our Eagles!"
Historical figures are getting in on the rivalry surrounding Super Bowl 2018, with a Revolutionary War-era hero cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and another rooting for the New England Patriots. www.pennlive.com |