Eagles fans fight with police before NFC Championship game against Vikings

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles fans sought to distance themselves from violent scenes that reportedly took place in the Lincoln Financial Field parking lot leading up to Sunday’s NFC Championship game between their team and the Minnesota Vikings.

In the hours leading up to the evening kickoff, NJ.com reported that riot police had been called to break up a bloody skirmish between Eagles supporters and police officers. Video of the incident showed one man bleeding from the face. According to the report, six officers on horseback plus several state troopers were ordered to the scene to break things up. It also said that no Vikings fans were involved.

“It breaks my heart a little bit,” Shellie Hancock, of South Philadelphia, told USA TODAY Sports. “More than 99% of the people here are just here to cheer for the team and want to see us win. But it is a few people who act stupid who will get the attention.” Hancock saw video relating to the incident on social media but did not witness any trouble on her way to the stadium.

“It is just a shame,” lifelong Eagles fan Don Hackett, 65, added. “Everyone is in high spirits, but it just gives us and the city a bad name.”

Repeated telephone calls to the media relations office at Philadelphia’s police department went unanswered.

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Dennis Wilson, Philadelphia’s deputy commissioner, told 6abc.com earlier in the week that his force would operate with a policy of low tolerance in relationship to any aggressive behavior.

“It is pretty simple,” Wilson said. “You don’t want to hurt other people, damage property and you don’t want to get yourself hurt.”

While the crowd inside the stadium was naturally overwhelmingly in favor of the Eagles, there was still a hardy band of Vikings supporters who had trekked from Minnesota. Philadelphia Airport was filled with purple-and-gold clad fans from early Sunday, and by lunchtime, a group had descended upon the city’s iconic steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and performed the team’s famous “Skol” chant. Even the famous statue of Rocky Balboa got a makeover, being decked out in a Vikings shirt.

“Our season has been built on making big things happen at home,” Steve Charles, 42, said, flanked by a group of three traveling friends. “One more game on the road, and then we will finish it off in front of our own crowd.” Minneapolis will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4.

Charles’ group reported that they had endured nothing more than a few mild taunts when they walked through the throng of Eagles support on their way to the entry gates. However, other internet videos appeared to show Vikings fans having full beer cans and bottles hurled in their directions, while being issued with insulting salutes by their Philadelphia counterparts.