As Philadelphia Eagles fans face national scrutiny following a viral video of one verbally assaulting a woman, star running back Saquon Barkley has come to their defense.
With the Eagles set to face the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional playoff game on Sunday, Rams player Jared Verse expressed his hatred for Eagles fans in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Verse’s comments came days after Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell was fired from his job when video of him insulting a female Green Bay Packers fan at a playoff game last Sunday went viral.
“I hate Eagles fans,” Verse said. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”
Barkley was asked by reporters about Verse’s comments before the game, and he suggested the Rams rookie’s decision to say those things “wasn’t smart.”
“That’s probably not the smartest thing you can say if you come to Philadelphia,” Barkley told reporters Friday.
Barkley cited his previous experience playing in Philadelphia as an opponent when he was with the New York Giants from 2018-2023.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) walks from the tunnel for a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. (Images by Bill Streicher-Imagn)
“I’ve been on the other side, I’ve felt some way,” Barkley said. “I probably wouldn’t give them any extra fuel.”
Barkley expects Verse to get an especially rude greeting when he takes the field on Sunday.
“I’m pretty sure Philadelphia fans have seen that comment. It was already going to be loud and shocking, so it’s just going to add to it,” Barkley said.
Verse is just one of the harsh critics of Eagles fans in the wake of the viral images of Caldwell. Verse said that even though the game was in Los Angeles, he heard boos from Eagles fans, despite wearing headphones.
“I didn’t even do anything to them. It was my first time playing. Oh, I hate Eagles fans,” Verse said.
The Eagles won that game 37-20 and Barkley went wild, racking up 302 yards from scrimmage, including 255 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
THE 5 MOST INFAMOUS SPORTS FAN MOMENTS
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (right) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. (Alex Gallardo-Image Images)
Meanwhile, Caldwell was fired from his job as a project manager at BCT Partners after a video of his The insults went viral. He apologized but also defended himself, insisting that his actions “were not without provocation” and that the viral video “does not show the full context” of what happened.
“While attending an NFL game last Sunday to support my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, an incident occurred that I deeply regret,” Caldwell said in a statement.
“What started as a joke with two Packers fans sitting near me turned into something more serious and I said things that were unacceptable. In the heat of the moment, I chose unforgiving words to address one of the fans, Ms. Ally Keller.
“I want to sincerely apologize to Ms. Keller for those words, and to my wife, my family and friends, my former employer and my colleagues, Packer fans, Eagles fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the city of Philadelphia and everyone who was offended. That being said, every story has two sides.
Ryan Caldwell was identified as the fan who hurled taunts at a Packers fan. (X/@Basaraski)
“The video circulating on the Internet does not reflect the full context of what happened and my actions were not without provocation. I will live through this experience and I am certainly paying a personal price. For those who do not know me, this incident does not reflect my values nor the respect I have for others and is not indicative of the person I am.
The viral video was filmed by Keller’s fiance, Alexander Basara, and spread quickly across the Internet in the days following the Eagles’ 22-10 victory.
Caldwell’s apology and news of his firing sparked a wave of celebration and ridicule from sports fans on social media.
Eagles fans have a long history of unruly behavior.
The franchise’s former home, Veterans Stadium, had a judicial court and cells to deal with fans who broke the law.
