"I couldn’t believe that I had just witnessed, with my own eyes, the Eagles winning Superbowl, alongside my family." - Photo via Ryan Schaller
We all heard of the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason.” For me, I believe that has come to fruition with the love of my family and favorite sports team.
On Feb. 12, 2023, I was in Glendale, Arizona for Superbowl LVII as my favorite sports team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. Going into the game, I was extremely confident that the Eagles would win. As Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker gave the Chiefs, a 38-35 lead, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts was unsuccessful at a hail mary, and the Kansas City Chiefs ultimately won the Superbowl.
The emotions that I felt with my father on the ride back to our hotel from the game were immense. I felt like how probably every other Eagles fan felt that same night. Unfortunately, at the beginning of last year, my father passed away. I found out he had suffered a heart attack whilst battling pneumonia.
But on Feb. 9 this year, I was back in New Orleans for the Superbowl, with once again, the Eagles back in the arena against the Chiefs. Throughout the week, I was reminded of that horrible memory, of being with the people that I loved while watching my favorite team lose. But when I arrived at Caesars Superdome, I simply felt more confident in this game than I did the last time I was at the big game.
When the Eagles defense sacked the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes six times, it’d be an understatement to say my emotions were high. And when Eagles defensive back, Cooper DeJean had a statement-making pick-six on Mahomes in the second quarter, I was blown away. But finally, when the clock struck zero in the fourth quarter, I had zero words to describe how I was feeling. I couldn’t believe that I had just witnessed, with my own eyes, the Eagles winning the Superbowl, alongside my family.
I remember hugging my sister when that happened. She brought with her a prayer card featuring my father’s face from his funeral, and at that very moment, I realized that everything happens for a reason. I had to experience the loss of my father and my favorite sports team to truly understand that. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I hope other college students who may be experiencing difficulties in life will experience that defining moment at some point in their own lives. The key is understanding that things will get better when it seems like they never might, and you will achieve your ultimate goal at some point or another, you just have to keep your head high.
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