75th anniversary celebration
Eagles Unveil 75th Anniversary Plans
Here is the throwback Donovan McNabb jersey
April 25, 2007
The Philadelphia Eagles unveiled plans Wednesday to celebrate 75 seasons of Eagles football in Philadelphia, including a designated throwback game complete with the uniform colors of 1933.
"We will celebrate 75 years of Eagles football and the most passionate fans in the NFL during the 2007 season," Eagles chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie said at a press conference held at the NovaCare Complex.
Joining Lurie was Eagles play-by-play radio announcer Merrill Reese, considered to be the official "Voice of the Eagles." Reese, whose voice has marked some of the biggest moments in franchise history over the past 30 years, shared his favorite memories of the team. In addition, those in attendance were treated to a special highlight video of great Eagles moments, produced by Eagles Television Network.
"Knowing how much the Eagles have meant to the City of Philadelphia, I am truly honored to be part of the rich history of this team," said Lurie.
Also on hand at the announcement were Pro Football Hall of Fame member and NFL Films senior producer Ray Didinger, author of The Eagles Encyclopedia, and retired Eagles executive Jim Gallagher, who served in the organization from 1946 to 1995.
Here is a look at the plans for the 75th Anniversary Season:
# Throwback Game -- Kicker David Akers and defensive end Jevon Kearse modeled blue and yellow throwback uniforms at the press conference, commemorating the color scheme and design worn by the Eagles during their first season in the NFL in 1933. Designed in cooperation with the NFL and Reebok, the uniforms will be worn during the September 23 home game vs. the Detroit Lions.
The blue and yellow colors were the first colors worn by the Eagles, after the Frankford Yellow Jackets went bankrupt and the NFL awarded the Philadelphia franchise to a syndicate headed by former University of Pennsylvania teammates Lud Wray and Bert Bell for an entry fee of $2,500. The Swedes were in Philadelphia before the arrival of William Penn and he incorporated their colors into the City of Philadelphia's flag.
# Official 75th Anniversary Merchandise -- Hats, jerseys -- including ones featuring current players like Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook -- and more additional merchandise in the throwback colors are available now for fans.
# Virtual Museum -- Wednesday also marked the launch of PhiladelphiaEagles.com's Virtual Museum. The web museum pays homage to the colorful history of the Eagles organization with exclusive, media-rich content dating back to the start of the franchise.
# 75th Anniversary Team -- Who were the best football players to wear an Eagles uniform during the franchise's first 74 seasons? Fans can help settle the debate by voting for the 75th Anniversary Team in our Virtual Museum. Each week, fans are invited to vote for the best players at a different position. The team will be unveiled before the beginning of the season in September. The nominees for the 75th Anniversary Team were selected by Reese, who will enter his 31st season as the voice of the Eagles, and Didinger, a former Philadelphia sportswriter who covered the Eagles and the NFL for 26 seasons before joining NFL Films as a senior producer.
# Official Philadelphia Eagles 75th Season Logo -- Players will wear this special logo, which was designed in cooperation with the NFL, on the current midnight green and white jerseys throughout the season. The logo will also be featured prominently throughout 2007 marketing, advertising, merchandising and game presentation campaigns.
# Television Special -- Philadelphia's 6abc will air a television special featuring some of the greatest moments in Eagles history and members of the 75th Anniversary Team.
EAGLES celebrate 75 years
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