Do Steelers Fans Like The Eagles? Unpacking Pennsylvania's NFL Divide
For folks who follow American football, especially those from outside the United States, figuring out the true connections between teams can be a bit of a puzzle. Take, for example, a long-time Steelers fan from Britain, someone who knows all about the fierce battles within a division. They might wonder, you know, about teams from the same state but a different division. Are the Philadelphia Eagles, a team from the same state of Pennsylvania, truly seen as rivals by the loyal followers of the Pittsburgh Steelers? It's a question that gets asked a lot, and it touches on the deep feelings fans have for their favorite teams.
This curiosity about whether Steelers fans have a soft spot for, or perhaps a strong dislike of, the Eagles is a really interesting one. It gets at the heart of what makes football rivalries tick, especially when teams aren't constantly playing each other in the regular season for a playoff spot. Both the Steelers and Eagles faithful bring a special kind of excitement and dedication to the game. This passion, you see, truly shows the rich football spirit that fills Pennsylvania, a state known for its deep love of the sport.
From the lasting impact of the Steelers' history to the never-say-die attitude of the Eagles, Pennsylvania's professional football scene really highlights how sports can bring communities closer, even if those communities are a bit different. So, when people ask, "Do Steelers fans like the Eagles?", it's not just a simple yes or no answer. It's about a whole lot of history, some shared state pride, and a good dose of competitive spirit, too it's almost.
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Table of Contents
- The Keystone State Connection and Division
- A Historical Moment: The 1969 Draft
- The Fan Perspective: A Mix of Feelings
- Recent Showdowns and Team Aspirations
- Loyalty and Super Bowl Choices
The Keystone State Connection and Division
Pennsylvania is a state with two very proud professional football teams. On one side, you have the Pittsburgh Steelers, representing the western part of the state. On the other, the Philadelphia Eagles, standing for the eastern side. This setup, in a way, creates a unique dynamic. It's not like the fierce, regular battles the Steelers have with their divisional foes, like the Browns, Ravens, or Bengals. Those are games that truly define a season for fans, deciding who gets to play in the postseason, you know.
So, how much of a competitive feeling exists between these two Pennsylvania teams, really? Compared to the yearly, often intense matchups within the AFC North, the Eagles and Steelers meet much less often. They are in different conferences, the AFC and NFC, which means their regular season games are pretty rare. For instance, they only met in week 5 of the 2012 season. This infrequent play means the everyday fan doesn't get to experience that direct, week-in, week-out rivalry that builds up over a season, that is that.
There isn't a whole lot of shared loyalty between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia when it comes to football. While both cities are in Pennsylvania, their sports cultures are quite distinct. You could say, in reading, that the fan ratio probably leans about 70/30 in favor of Eagles fans. But that 30% of Steelers fans in the eastern part of the state can be a very vocal group. They often remind Eagles fans of their team's successes, sometimes in an annoying way, every single year, in some respects.
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A Historical Moment: The 1969 Draft
Sometimes, a single moment in history can shape how fans view another team, even if it's not a direct rival. Think about the 1969 NFL draft, for example. This was a pretty big deal for both the Eagles and the Steelers. The Eagles had the third pick that year, and they chose Leroy Keyes. Just one pick later, at fourth overall, the Steelers made a choice that would change their team forever. They picked a player who wasn't very well known at the time, Joe Greene.
New Steelers head coach Chuck Noll, a legendary figure in the team's history, would later say something quite telling about that draft. He claimed the Steelers would have picked Greene even if they had the very first overall pick, which is quite a statement. Meanwhile, Keyes, who was a running back like O.J. Simpson, was seen by Eagles fans as a really important selection for their team. This moment, you know, kind of highlights a divergence in paths for the two organizations right from the start, nearly.
This draft pick, in a way, set a tone. Joe Greene went on to become one of the greatest defensive players in football history, a cornerstone of the Steelers' dynasty in the 1970s. For the Steelers, this pick was a symbol of building a strong defense and a powerful running game, which became their trademark. It showed the kind of team they wanted to be, a bit different from the Eagles' vision at that time. It's a small piece of shared history, yet it really shows how two teams from the same state can go down very different paths, pretty much.
The Fan Perspective: A Mix of Feelings
When you talk to fans, you get a real sense of the emotional side of football. For some, the sight of a rival team's colors can stir up strong feelings. One rookie player, for instance, spoke openly about his feelings toward the Eagles' green and white colors. He said, "When I see that green and white, I hate it. I actually get upset, like I actually genuinely get hot." That's a pretty strong reaction, honestly, and it shows the depth of feeling some players and fans have, even for teams outside their division.
This kind of intense feeling, where you really dislike seeing another team succeed, isn't unique to this rivalry. But it does show that for some Steelers fans, the Eagles are more than just another team on the schedule. They represent a different part of the state, a different football identity. It's a feeling that goes beyond simple competition, you know. It's about a deep-seated sports dislike, sort of, that can pop up even when the stakes aren't directly affecting their own team's playoff chances.
However, it's not a universal feeling across all Steelers fans. Some might not think about the Eagles as much as they do about their more traditional rivals. As one person put it, "I don't doubt they don't like us but I think Steelers fans think about the Pats way more than they think about us. It sucks but it's true." This suggests that while there might be some dislike, it's often overshadowed by other, more historically significant rivalries for the Steelers. For many, the Browns, Ravens, and Bengals are the true focus of their competitive energy, at the end of the day.
Recent Showdowns and Team Aspirations
Even though they don't play often, when the Eagles and Steelers do meet, it can be quite a game. There was a recent game where the Eagles really showed their strength. They had just won their last 10 straight games, and their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on that Sunday extended that impressive run. That particular win streak was the longest in the Eagles' team history. So, while these games are rare, they can still leave a lasting impression on both fan bases, you know.
It's interesting to consider how the Eagles, in some ways, represent what the Steelers might want to become. The Eagles are often seen as a team that relies on a strong running game and a tough defense. This description, you know, sounds a lot like the kind of team the Steelers have historically been, and arguably, still aspire to be. It's a style of play that emphasizes physical football, grinding out wins, and making things difficult for the opposing team. This shared philosophy, in a way, creates a subtle connection, even if it's not always recognized by everyone, pretty much.
When you look at a team like the Eagles, especially when they're playing well, it's easy to see why another team might look at them and think, "Yeah, we want to play like that." For example, if the Eagles are doing well, some might see them as the perfect kind of team to support if they were playing a team like the Chiefs, who have been very dominant lately. It's like, you know, they seem like a team built to take on the best, and that's a quality many football fans appreciate, especially if their own team isn't in the Super Bowl. Learn more about Pennsylvania's unique football culture on our site, and you can also find out more about the history of Keystone State football here.
Loyalty and Super Bowl Choices
Football fans, especially in Pennsylvania, show incredible loyalty to their teams. A new study, for instance, revealed that both Eagles and Steelers fans rank very high among the most loyal fan bases in the entire NFL. This speaks volumes about the passion that exists in the state for the sport. It's a tradition that truly brings people together and, at times, creates divides. This strong loyalty, you know, will continue to be a defining part of the NFL for many years to come, actually.
The question of loyalty can get complicated, especially when it comes to the Super Bowl and your own team isn't playing. For Steelers Nation, when their team doesn't make it to the big game, where do their allegiances go? It's not always straightforward. Sometimes, a Steelers fan might find themselves rooting for the Eagles, especially if the Eagles are playing a team that Steelers fans generally dislike, like the Chiefs. There are reasons, you know, why a Steelers fan might put aside any rivalry to support another Pennsylvania team in the biggest game of the year.
This kind of support, even if it's temporary, shows the complex feelings that exist. It's not a simple case of "I hate them no matter what." There can be moments where shared state pride, or a desire to see a certain team lose, can make a Steelers fan cheer for the Eagles. It's a nuanced thing, really, and it highlights that football allegiances can shift and change depending on the situation. So, while the "hate" is real for some, there's also a layer of shared identity that can surface, especially on the biggest stage, you know, like your.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a strong rivalry between the Steelers and Eagles?
The rivalry between the Steelers and Eagles is not as intense as the Steelers' divisional rivalries with teams like the Browns or Ravens. Since they play in different conferences, they meet less often, so the direct competitive feeling doesn't build up in the same way, you know.
Do Steelers fans root for the Eagles in the Super Bowl?
It depends on the situation. While some Steelers fans might not like the Eagles, others might root for them in the Super Bowl, especially if the Eagles are playing a team that Steelers fans generally dislike, like the Chiefs. It's a personal choice for each fan, too it's almost.
How do Steelers and Eagles fans view each other?
Views vary, but there's a definite sense of "Keystone State" division. Some Steelers fans express strong dislike for the Eagles, seeing them as a rival from the other side of the state. However, for many, the Eagles are not their primary rival, and they think more about teams like the Patriots, in a way. You can learn more about fan loyalty and sports psychology here: American Psychological Association - Sport Psychology.
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