A Day in the Life of the Linc: The Inside View of a Big Eagles Win
Eagles fans tailgating at the Linc / Photograph by Matt Stanley
On the morning of October 16th, Lincoln Financial Field sat quiet. The day before, a few feet away, the Phillies had eliminated the Braves to fight their way to the National League Championship Series. After dominating MLS’s Eastern Conference, the Union were resting during their bye week. The Sixers were primed, waiting for opening night. Heck, even the Flyers were 2-0.
As the eyes of America narrowed to Philadelphia, the Eagles stood tall at 5-0. The Cowboys, the Sunday Night Football crew and a star-studded guest list were all in town. And the city? A fervor that had slowly been building over the past five weeks was ready to explode.
It was a moment in Philadelphia sports history that needed, begged, to be captured. So we sent a trio of photographers to the Linc with a single task in mind: one day, one stadium. From the tailgaters and the scoreboard operators to Jalen Hurts and Jeffrey Lurie, here’s a look at how a stadium goes from silence to silence — with a whole lot of noise in between. — Edited by Bradford Pearson
October 16, 2022
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
Photography by Steve Boyle, Gene Smirnov, and Matt Stanley
Eagles fans outside the Linc / Photograph by Matt Stanley
Pregaming
Before the fans even get to the parking lot, the stadium prepares. Tonight brings the added lights of Sunday Night Football, which has surpassed the Monday night game as the NFL’s premier spectacle. For fans and vendors in the lot, there are extra hours of tailgating, shirts and sans shirts. — Photography by Matt Stanley, except where noted
Tonight brings out Philly fans’ best behavior, with DALLAS SUCKS shirts and signs and at least one mannequin for stomping. As the parking lot heats up with win-guaranteeing pre-game rituals, last-minute restocking at the pro shop and equipment checks on the field prep both players and fans.
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Game Time
Fireworks at the Linc / Photograph by Matt Stanley
Fireworks light up a perfect night, and celebrity fireworks follow on the field level as Philly sports royalty including LeSean McCoy, Joel Embiid and a faux King Kelce make kids out of even the most jaded adults.
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
The cheerleaders shake it up, while polarizing sportsmouth Howard Eskin reports from the sidelines.
Eagles cheerleaders at the Linc / Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Eskin on the sidelines / Photograph by Gene Smirnov
It takes a lot to upstage Meek Mill in this town, but hey, look who’s sharing locations: First Lady Jilly from Philly!
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the Linc for the Eagles game / Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Meanwhile, the two richest dudes on the field, Jerry Jones and Jeffrey Lurie, jaw about jawn, and Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico study their stats and check their tired-cliché lists before kickoff.
Jerry Jones and Jeffrey Lurie / Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Photograph by Steve Boyle
Photograph by Steve Boyle
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Post-Game Report
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
An Eagles win (26-17) caps one of the most exciting weekends ever in Philly sports — there will be a few more of those in the days ahead — and entrenches the team at the top of the NFC East, ahead of the overperforming Giants. The lights go down, and our Iggles fly off to a much-deserved bye week. Go Birds!
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Post-game press conference / Photograph by Steve Boyle
Photograph by Steve Boyle
Photograph by Gene Smirnov
Photograph by Matt Stanley
Published as “Let’s Go Birds” in the December 2022 issue of Philadelphia magazine.