Tales from the Eagles Sidelines

Even in their worst of seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles maintained their tradition of toughness. This toughness is exemplified by the greats who have put on the Eagles uniform—from legends like Chuck Bednarik and Steve Van Buren to modern-day heroes like Reggie White and Donovan McNabb.

In Tales from the Eagles Sidelines, veteran football writer Gordon Forbes profiles the individuals who have thrilled Philadelphia fans since the team’s inception in 1933 through its recent return to glory with McNabb at the helm. Forbes details how these men become legendary heroes, not only because of the championships they won but because of their hard-knocking style.

They were relentless athletes playing in a city that has always appreciated hard, tough performers more than fancy steppers. And when the winter winds arrive and the Eagles are playing for something more than their paychecks, there is a wonderful love affair that spirals in the frosty air between the fans and their "iggles," as the team is called.

Tales from the Eagles Sidelines recalls the great players and some of the not-so-great characters told in the form of flashbacks to another time. Some of the stories, like Vince Papale’s Rocky-like adventures, are stirring to the soul. Others, like Fred Hill’s courageous fight to save his leukemia-stricken daughter, sadden the mind. All of the individual tales, however, share a common bond. They are all about Eagles who wore the green, silver, and white and played in a very special city.