Let the record — or at least the social media clips from the hundreds of people there — show that Nick Foles’ last official pass in Philadelphia, on the night he was honored by the team he led to its only Super Bowl win, was a dog mask thrown into a cheering crowd.
Encouraged by retired center Jason Kelce — who else these days in Philly but the always-present center of a good time? — Foles and former Eagle Fletcher Cox were introduced on stage in their dog masks as surprise guests at a pregame event.
The German shepherd masks were introduced during the 2017 season as a nod to the underdog theme that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
No player represented the long-shot role that season quite like Foles, a backup quarterback who stepped in for injured starter Carson Wentz in Week 14.
Foles, who announced his retirement last month, went from backup to Super Bowl MVP.
He threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots but is most remembered for the “Philly Special.” On fourth and goal inside the Patriots’ 5-yard line, Foles moved from behind center to behind the right tackle before the snap, leaving running back Corey Clement alone in the backfield.
Clement took the snap and Foles hesitated before running into the end zone without being touched. Clement then pitched to tight end Trey Burton, who threw a short pass to Foles for a 22-12 halftime lead.
“The first thought when I was running back to the huddle was, do not smile, do not smile,” Foles said. “Just act serious. Defensive players are watching the quarterback run from the side.
If I’m smiling, they’re gonna think something is up. I had to put up an act. I had to go up there like ‘kill, kill,’ act serious like it was a real audible.”
He was named Super Bowl MVP after leading the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over the Patriots.
