The Steeler Way Is Dying, The Eagles Are Becoming the New Face of Culture In the NFL
Tonight, The Philadelphia Eagles will take the field in a game (kind of) for the first time since winning the Super Bowl. This week, you’ve probably read more “What to expect from Nate Sudfeld” articles than you ever expected to in your entire life. Actually, one “What to expect from Nate Sudfeld” article is probably more than you expected to in your entire life. So, I’m an effort to change things up, here’s a look at the importance of culture in sports using the Eagles and their opponent tonight, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For what pretty much seems like as long as the NFL has been in existence, the Steelers have had the quintessential culture for a sports team. As a fan of franchise who previously had zero Super Bowls, I always envious. They had stability and they had WINNING. In the past couple of years, something funny has shifted from the western side of the state to the East.
The “Steeler Way” has deteriorated the last couple years. In that same time, the Eagles have laid the foundation for a new, unique culture our city hadn’t seen yet.
The Steelers went 13-3 last year but the atititude around the Team felt like 3-13. At the forefront of that is Le’veon Bell. The most efficient running back in the league who is as shifty as they come, ironically can’t get out of his own way when it comes to social media. Whether it’s contract opinions or argumentative tweets, Bell has done his best to make it about himself rather than the team. Antonio Brown, who was on Facebook Live while coach Mike Tomlin gave a post game speech, fell right in line with that sentiment. As for the rest of the team, the never ending drama surrounding James Harrison’s release and then prompt signing with the Patriots was fit for a high school guidance counselor’s office. And as for the leader, the quarterback at the helm, he spent this past offseason arrogantly making it clear he had no interest in grooming his potential heir apparent in Mason Rudolph.
ME. ME. ME.
You know where that self-centered team attitude gets you? Giving up 45 points in the playoffs to the Blake Bortles led, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the state, the Eagles had a lot more positive vibes. Our running backs were one cohesive unit, exhibited best when Legarette Blount sacrificed his touchdown carry so Corey Clement could score on his birthday. Our star wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery, went from team cancer in Chicago, to locker room asset and fan favorite in Philly. Our quarterbacks had no drama, Nick Foles celebrated winning Super Bowl MVP with Carson Wentz right at his side. They came, they gelled, they won.
As a new season begins, this first meaningless preseason game could be the same matchup that the season ends with. Both the Steelers and the Eagles had an abundance of talent they could ride into February. For Pittsburgh, the road to the Super Bowl has been well traveled. Behind a winning culture that has stretched not only years but generations, they had become the epitome of success in the NFL. Now, that culture has deteriorated. I think their fans would agree. The Eagles, fresh off their first Super Bowl victory are set to build a culture comparable to that of the “Steeler Way”.