Underdogs: The Philadelphia Eagles' Emotional Road to Super Bowl Victory

Description

Following a season with incredible highs and heartbreaking lows, the Philadelphia Eagles went on to do what fans had all but written off as impossible: for the first time in the franchise's history, Philly won a Super Bowl. Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Zach Berman takes fans on a journey through the action-packed season -- from the preseason and mid-season player pickups that shaped a championship team to the gut-wrenching injury of star quarterback Carson Wentz through to the gutsy play calling and nail-biting moments in Super Bowl LII, in which the Eagles bested the favored-to-win New England Patriots. A book unique in its scope and insight thanks to Berman's on-the-ground reporting, Philly Special will detail the "underdog" story that captured national attention; explain how the team resonated among a desperate fan base that waited 57 years for a championship; and even delve into the players' social activism during a particularly political NFL season. With an 8-page full-color photo insert, it's the perfect keepsake item for anyone who bleeds green. During his six years covering the Birds, Berman has developed relationships with some of the most notable characters that led the team to Super Bowl victory. In Philly Special, he'll explain why Nick Foles contemplated retirement on his way to winning Super Bowl MVP. He'll detail Howie Roseman's journey to NFL executive of the year after being cast aside by former coach Chip Kelly. He'll show Malcolm Jenkins' journey to team captain, how Chris Long's life changed in a Tanzania hotel bar, why Eagles kicker Jake Elliott didn't consider football until he was chosen at random at a high school pep rally, and where Carson Wentz ate dinner the night before he left for the NFL Draft. These more obscure stories offer incredible context and depth to an already fascinating story of success against the odds.

Zach Berman covers the Philadelphia Eagles for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. He previously wrote for The Washington Post and Newark Star-Ledger, and was a contributor for The New York Times. He also makes regular television appearances on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Zach is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Emily, and son, Reid.