NFL Team History - The Philadelphia Eagles

The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was awarded a National Football League franchise in 1932. The professional football organization was directed by Bert Bell and Lud Wray. The two co-founders selected the franchise name, the 'Philadelphia Eagles'.

The Eagles' first franchise game was on October 15, 1933 against the New York Giants. However, the Eagles did not receive the 'welcome to the NFL' gift they had hoped for as they were pummeled by a score of 56-0. The franchise's first win occurred on November 5, 1933 when they shutout the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 6-0.

In 1940, the Eagles began playing their home games at Philadelphia Municipal Stadium. Moreover, Art Rooney purchased Lud Wray's interest in the franchise. Eagles' owners Bert Bell and Rooney would reach a deal with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Alexis Thompson to exchange franchises; however, both organizations would retain the personnel. Alexis Thompson's former Pittsburgh Steelers team became the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941.

Until the 1943 season, the Eagles enjoyed minimal success. Their first winning record of 5-4-1 has an asterisk beside it because the Eagles were collaborated with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to the scarcity of players during World War II.

In 1944, the Eagles selected running back Steve Van Buren in the NFL Draft.

In 1947, the Eagles would reach their first NFL Championship Game against the Chicago Cardinals. The Cardinals would defeat the Eagles by a score of 28-21. Nevertheless, the Eagles and Cardinals would meet again for the NFL Championship the subsequent season. This time, the Eagles clinched their first NFL Championship with a 7-0 shutout over their NFL rivals.

The Eagles would appear in their third consecutive NFL Championship Game in 1949 as they faced the Los Angeles Rams. For the second consecutive season, the Eagles would blank their NFL adversaries as they cruised to a 14-0 victory over the Rams.

In 1949, Thompson sold interest in the Philadelphia Eagles to a syndicate of 100 buyers, also recognized as the Happy Hundred.

Throughout the decade of the 1950's, the Eagles on-field production was reasonable; however, they were not the championship caliber team they were in the mid to late 1940's.

A majority of fans in Philly consider 1960 as the most illustrious season in the franchise's long history. On December 26, 1960, the Eagles edged out the Green Bay Packers with a late game drive en route to 17-13 win, clinching their fourth NFL Championship.

In 1963, Jerry Wolman acquired majority interest in the Eagles franchise.

By 1969, Wolman filed for bankruptcy and the franchise was sold to Leonard Tose.

The Eagles moved from Franklin Field to Veterans Stadium in 1971.

Throughout most of the 1970's, the Eagles failed to reach the post-season.

In 1978, under the guidance of head coach Dick Vermeil, the Eagles clinched their first post-season berth since 1960.

In 1980, the Eagles would earn their first trip to the Super Bowl, professional football's most fêted game, following a 20-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship bout. The Eagles were matched-up against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV; however, they were defeated by a score of 27-10.

The 1980 season was noteworthy for Eagles quarterback Ron Jawarski, as he led the NFC with a 90.9 passer rating.

Following the 1982 NFL season, Dick Vermeil stepped down as Eagles head coach and was replaced with Marion Campbell.

On March 5, 1985, Leonard Tose sold the Eagles franchise to Norman Braman and Ed Leibowitz.

In 1986, former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan, was hired as the Eagles head coach.

In 1987, quarterback Randall Cunningham became the first quarterback to lead his team in rushing yards since the Bears' Bobby Douglas in 1972. Additionally, defensive end Reggie White set and NFC record with 21 sacks in a single season, one shy of the NFL record.

The Eagles became the first team in the NFL since 1975 to rank first in both rushing and passing yardage allowed in 1991. However, they would not qualify for post-season play.

On May 17, 1994, Jeffrey Lurie officially became the new owner of the Philadephia Eagles.

In 1992, 1995, and 1996, the Eagles qualified for the playoffs, but never made it to the NFC title game. Following the 1992 season, Reggie White left the Eagles organization and signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers.

In 1999, the Eagles hired Andy Reid as head coach, and drafted quarterback Donovan McNabb out of Syracuse 2nd overall in the NFL Draft. In 2000, the Eagles clinched a post-season berth for the first time since 1996.

In 2001, the Eagles won their first NFC Eastern Division title since 1988. After defeating the Chicago Bears in the divisional round of the playoffs, they would face the high-powered offense of the St. Louis Rams for the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles kept the game within reach but ultimately lost 29-24.

In 2002, the Eagles returned to the NFC Championship Game, this time they hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even though the Eagles were favored, the Buccaneers stomped the Eagles by a score of 27-10. A year later, the Eagles reached the NFC Championship for a third consecutive season, and once again they were the favored team, but the Carolina Panthers bewildered the Philadelphia crowd with a 14-3 victory.

In 2003, Lincoln Financial Field became the Eagles home field after 22 years at Veterans Stadium.

Prior to the 2004 season, the Eagles acquired the flamboyant wide receiver Terrell Owens from the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2004, the Eagles finally climbed to the top of the NFC after three years of disappointment. They trampled the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC Championship Game. In Super Bowl XXXIX, the defending champions New England Patriots stood in the Eagles way of a Super Bowl celebration. The Eagles would gave the defending champions all they could handle, but ultimately, the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years by defeating the Eagles 24-21.

Following the 2005 season, Terrell Owens left the Eagles after an acrimonious relationship with Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles failed to reach the playoffs in 2005; however they returned in 2006 with Jeff Garcia filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb at quarterback. A 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints ended the Eagles season.