Before the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers “The Philly Sports Guy” on getting involved with supporters, “It’s a Philly Thing” and why he could never hate another team’s fan.

Hair cut into a mohawk. They glow green.

The sides shaved bald. They shine silver. The eye area again green, outlined in black as if he is wearing a blindfold. The silver nose stands out, the cheeks flash silver.

Around the mouth green again, edged with a thin black line.

The head sticks out of the Eagles jersey with the number 11, Shoulder Pads underneath. Legs are in white football shorts, two towels hang left and right – one green, one white.

In Philadelphia, he is known like a colourful dog. And there are many dogs in Philadelphia.

James Pagliei is 50 years old. However, only a few people know him by his real name. He’s “The Philly Sports Guy.”

3,000 to 5,000 photos on Eagles game days

When we meet Pagliei for an interview the day before the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, there’s little sign of green and white.

He had already warned us: “I’m not in Eagles gear. The 76ers are playing, I’ll be in the gym later, so I’ll be in red and blue.”

It takes him time to fight his way through the crowds. Again and again, The Philly Sports Guy is approached for a selfie. Even from the 49ers fans who have gathered at the bar near Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center.

“On days like today, maybe 500 to 800 photos I take,” Pagliei says, “on Eagles game days, 3,000 to 5,000. “

Two, three wins only thanks to the fans

Then in green and silver. It takes him an hour to an hour and a half to turn James Pagliei into “The Philly Sports Guy.”

Before NFL games, he usually records another podcast around 8:30. Then it’s off to tailgaiting to build anticipation for the game.

“That excitement you’ll feel in the stadium will captivate you and make your hair stand on end – literally in my case,” he says of the stadium experience at Lincoln Financial Field, his eyes sparkling.

“Philadelphia’s fans are very passionate. I’m convinced that Philadelphia’s fans must have won the Eagles two or three games,” he continues. The opponents could not have communicated properly at all.

It was precisely this tension, which he says the opponents had to feel, that made them nervous. “But when you’re part of that tension, it just makes it incredibly exciting for you. It gives you strength.”

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy has already warned of communication problems, fearing deafening Eagles fans.

He wants to silence the home supporters early. “The worst thing,” Pagliei also says, “would be silence. “

Philadelphia Lives “It’s a Philly Thing “

You can’t really imagine it. Philadelphia loves and lives its Eagles. Buses greet with “Go Birds”, Jalen Hurts, Darius Slay or Dalla Giedert hang from the street lamps.

Dogs wear Eagles jerseys – and there are many dogs in Philadelphia. Whether at City Hall, the Museum of Art with the staircase made famous by the Rocky films or the Rocky statue, hardly ten minutes pass without “Fly Eagles Fly” being intoned.

Philadelphia fans live the “It’s a Philly Thing” proclaimed by the Eagles before the playoffs.

“It’s in line with our city’s slogan, the City of Brotherly Love – which is that we’re all one. Whether it’s South Philly, North East Philly, Delaware County, across the bridge in Camden. If you’re part of Greater Philadelphia, you belong. “

“I hate the Cowboys, but not their fans “

They also exemplify this unity when tailgaiting. It’s a pre-game celebration together, getting in the mood for the big moment on Sunday afternoon when kickoff is at 3pm local time.

Pagliei experiences tailgaiting, barbecuing and drinking, singing and talking football shop differently. “I don’t drink alcohol during the game or before. I feel more like a host and it’s important to me that everyone has fun.”

Everyone – by that he means even the opposing fans. “I want to wish them good luck too. Because they are also people like you and me. For example, I hate the Cowboys, but I don’t hate the Cowboys’ fans. The fan of an opposing team loves his team like I love mine, he buys his ticket to the stadium like I do.”

For 20 years now, Pagliei tells me, he has been going to games like this. But it was only five years ago that he really gained notoriety, when he was caught on TV cameras wearing his outfit.

“They then wanted me for a commercial shoot. For a charity event,” he says. That’s when the name first came up: The Philly Sports Guy. “They told me at the time, ‘You should get it.’ And that’s what I did,” Pagliei recalls of the early days.

“The Philly Sports Guy” as a profession

Since then, the skilled stonemason and chimney sweep has walked the stadiums and halls of Philadelphia. “When the Eagles’ season was over, there I was. What was I supposed to do then? So I went to the other teams, Flyers, 76ers, Phillies, also MLS, USFL, because I just love sports.”

The father of two has given up his business and now earns his living alone as “The Philly Sports Guy”.

But he also uses his fame – especially for charitable purposes. “I like to take a lot of time for that. ‘The Philly Sports Guy’ gives me a loud voice and if I don’t use that voice for a good cause, I shouldn’t have it in the first place,” says Pagliei.

That’s why he’ll never turn down a photo – smiles on children’s faces mean too much to him. “It’s something great,” Pagliei elaborates.

“It costs me maybe 10 seconds of my time, but for the child it is the greatest thing in the world. “