No team does a better job than the Eagles of sending out text messages and emails regarding the franchise’s transactions and developments.
On Tuesday, the Eagles sent out an email of a very different kind. They’re honoring season-ticket holder and long-time training camp fixture “Eagle” Joe Brown, who has died at the age of 62.
“Training camp will not be the same without Eagle Joe,” coach Andy Reid said in a team-issued release. “He was a fixture at our practices every summer for many, many years. He knew every player on the roster, their 40 time, their college and their statistics, it seemed. He bled green. And even though he was struggling with various illnesses in recent years, he still managed to travel to Lehigh a few times every camp. He always had a kind word of encouragement to each of our players and coaches. He never asked for anything and never expected anything, he just wanted to be around his Eagles family. We will certainly miss Joe and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in their time of loss.”
Brown started his annual appearances at training camp in 1975, using vacation days from his job at a supermarket. Thirteen years later, coach Buddy Ryan invited Brown to stand on the sidelines during training-camp practice. Brown thereafter enjoyed that level of access, under every subsequent head coach.
We salute Eagle Joe Brown for his devotion to the team, and we respect the Eagles for remembering him in such a public way.
(Photo credit: the Morning Call)