"You want Philly Philly?" - Nick Foles' gutsy call on grandest stage of all ensured the Eagles etched their name in NFL folklore
Nick Foles went to then-Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson with 34 seconds left in the first half of Super Bowl 52 (2018). The Eagles quarterback asked Pederson a question that would shift the course of the game:
"You want Philly Philly?"
Pederson gave Foles the nod to run a play that would end up being forever remembered in NFL history: the Philly Special. On fourth down and one at the New England Patriots' one-yard line, a legend would be born.
Foles moved out from under center Jason Kelce and looked unconnected to the play. However, Foles ran towards the right side of the end zone as tight end Trey Burton tossed the ball his way. He caught it for a one-yard touchdown. The touchdown gave the Eagles a 22 - 12 halftime lead over the Patriots in the game.
Ultimately, Foles and the Eagles would go on to defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots to win the Lombardi Trophy. Following the victory, Foles talked about the Philly Special and his reaction to the play.
Less than 3 years after the Philly Special Doug Pederson is fired.
Despite what happened at the end of this year. I’ll never forget the Eagles somehow eating the Patriots. Nick Foles beating Tom Brady... and yes, Doug Pederson beating Bill Belichick
https://t.co/Dm0Fuywnbh
Foles said:
"A quarterback going out on a route? I was pumped ... That's probably the best it has looked, so we hit it at the right time."
He did something that one other quarterback can lay claim to, which is beating Brady in a Super Bowl. Foles met the challenge of facing the greatest quarterback of all time, holding his own.
Nick Foles had a special game for the Eagles in Super Bowl 52
Nick Foles impacted the game in addition to the Philly Special as he was the Super Bowl MVP. He went 28 of 43 passing attempts for 373 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The former Arizona Wildcats star threw the final touchdown in Super Bowl 52, an 11-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz in the fourth quarter.
His 373 yards are the fifth-most yards thrown by a quarterback in Super Bowl history. Tom Brady threw for 505 yards in the same game, which is a Super Bowl record. Foles would play one final season with the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the team following the 2018 - 2019 season to join the Jacksonville Jaguars.
No matter what else Nick Foles does for the rest of his NFL career, he'll forever be connected to both the Eagles and NFL lore. Defeating Tom Brady on the biggest stage also adds to that lore.