As Philadelphia Eagles fans face nationwide scrutiny following a viral video of someone verbally assaulting a woman, star running back Saquon Barkley came to their defense.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional playoff game on Sunday, Rams player Jared Verse expressed his hatred towards 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 Green Bay Packers fan during 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 suggested the Rams rookie’s decision to say those things was “not smart.”
“That’s probably not the smartest thing to say if you’re coming 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 2018-23.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs from the tunnel during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
“I’ve been on the other side, I’ve had some kind of feeling,” Barkley said. “I probably wouldn’t give them any extra fuel.”
Barkley expects Verse to get a particularly rude reception when he takes the field on Sunday.
“I’m pretty sure the Philly fans saw that comment. It was already going to be loud and rocking, so this will just add to it,” Barkley said.
Verse is just one of the vocal critics from Eagles fans in the wake of Caldwell’s viral footage. Verse said that even though the game was in Los Angeles, he heard Eagles fans heckling, 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 on a rampage, racking up 302 yards from scrimmage, including 255 yards rushing with two touchdowns.
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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-Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Caldwell was fired from his job as project manager at BCT Partners after a video of his the insults went viral. He apologized but also defended himself by insisting that his actions “were not unprovoked” and that the viral video “does not show the full context” of what happened.
“While attending an NFL game this past Sunday in support of 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 escalated into something more serious, and I said things that were unacceptable. In the heat of the moment, I chose merciless words to address one of the fans, Ms. Ally Keller.
“I want to sincerely apologize to Ms. Keller for these words, as well as to my wife, my family and friends, my former employer and colleagues, Packers fans, Eagle fans, Eagles Philadelphia, the city of Philadelphia and all those who were offended. That said, there are two sides to every story.
Ryan Caldwell has been identified as the fan who threw taunts at a Packers fan. (X/@Basaraski)
“The video clip circulating online does not reflect the full context of what happened, and my actions were not without provocation. I will live with this experience, and I am certainly paying the price personally. For Those who don’t know me, this incident does not reflect my values or the respect I have for others and is not indicative of the person I am.”
The viral video was filmed by Keller’s fiancé, Alexander Basara, and quickly spread 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 mockery from sports fans on social media.
Eagles fans have a long history of unruly behavior.
The franchise’s former home, Veterans Stadium, had a courthouse and jail cells on site to deal with fans breaking the law.
