An 18-year-old student from Temple University student died after falling from a pole following the Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Tyler Sabapathy was among other fans also celebrating when the incident happened.
Philadelphia Eagles Fan Dies from Fall
Tyler Sabapathy was seen celebrating with fans on Sunday after the NFC Championship game when the Philadelphia Eagles were victorious against the Washington Commanders. In unfortunate events, a video shows Sabapathy holding onto a street pole then slipping and falling flat on his back, hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. He was hospitalized with a brain injury and pronounced dead two days later. Temple President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey issued a statement Tuesday.
“The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic,” the statement read in part. “There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing. Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved him.”
Sabapathy was an exercise and sports science at Temple University. He was also an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals. School administrators said, “Tyler displayed exceptional self-discipline and work ethic, spending countless hours a week training and honing his craft. He was loved by his teammates, friends and coaches here in Philadelphia.”
Eagles Fans Celebrations Gone Wrong
The Philadelphia Eagles have some of the most passionate fans in the NFL. They root hard for their team and go a little bit beyond most NFL fans. In the past, Eagles fans have pushed the limits of celebrating in the streets after big games. Not only did a young fan die Sunday, but a rowdy fan amongst the crowd fired a gun into the air and some Eagles fan seemed to not be phased by it.
Also, the Philadelphia Police arrested 31 people in the streets for failure to disperse and disorderly conduct. Mayor Cherelle Parker said during a press conference Monday morning that arrests have been made in two major incidents during the celebration, one a stabbing outside Lincoln Financial Field, and another after a car plowed into pedestrians at Broad and Spring Garden.
Mayor Parker also said, “If I can ask Philadelphians to do anything, you don’t want to be, in a celebratory moment, have a tragedy occur,” Parker said. “Please, please don’t shoot guns in the air.”
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl LIX is being played in New Orleans, and it will be an exciting matchup and rematch from Super Bowl LVII when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in a thriller of 38-35. The Eagles will seek revenge against the Chiefs this year with NFL MVP candidate Saquon Barkley.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles fans, they will be ready to celebrate big if the Eagles can win this year’s Super Bowl against the Chiefs but so will the Philadelphia First Responders. They will be ready for any accidents or incidents with the celebrating in Philly.
