Long time fan from Toronto

[Zee]

Hi all,

Just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as a longtime Eagles fan. I started following the NFL around 1979/1980, back when the Eagles happened to be one of the teams frequently shown on TV. Growing up in Toronto, it was basically a matter of watching whichever teams you could catch on TV—and luckily, I ended up connecting with the Eagles.

It wasn’t as easy to stay informed back then—no internet, no streaming, and definitely no access to every game—so being a knowledgeable fan took a bit more effort than it does today.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to join an Eagles forum, especially since I’ve always loved watching and talking sports. Over the past year or so, I’ve gotten more into the details of the team by listening to podcasts like Eagle Eye and Birds 365. They’ve helped me go beyond just being a Sunday viewer and dive deeper into roster discussions, team strategy, and all the other things that make following the Eagles even more fun.

Really looking forward to chatting with everyone here and continuing to grow my love for this franchise. Glad to be part of the community!
 

[xzmattzx]

Welcome!  My mom is from Buffalo, and growing up, we always went to our family cottage on the Canadian side in Port Colborne.

 

Toronto is one of my favorite cities in the world!  I love all the interesting neighborhoods in the city.

 

I have been seeing a little bit of Eagles fans in Canada on the shores of Lake Erie when I have gone to our cottage.  Bills fans are everywhere, of course, and interest has been way up since they drafted Josh Allen and have been good.  In the 2000s and into the 2010s, people seemed more interested in the Sabres than the Bills.  Of course, it kind of got like that down here, with the Phillies possibly more popular from 2008-2011 than the Eagles.

[Zee]

Yeah, there are plenty of Bills fans around here, but also a surprising number of Cowboys fans. I grew up constantly hearing people gush about the Cowboys and their Super Bowl wins—it used to drive me nuts. So it’s been incredibly satisfying to finally turn the tables and throw some of the Eagles’ recent success back in their faces!

[xzmattzx]

3 hours ago, Zee said:

Yeah, there are plenty of Bills fans around here, but also a surprising number of Cowboys fans. I grew up constantly hearing people gush about the Cowboys and their Super Bowl wins—it used to drive me nuts. So it’s been incredibly satisfying to finally turn the tables and throw some of the Eagles’ recent success back in their faces!

Where in Toronto are you located?  The GTA is a huge place.  Is there an Eagles bar near you at all?  Or even a bar sympathetic and makes sure the Eagles game is on?

[Zee]

On 3/13/2025 at 1:04 PM, xzmattzx said:

Where in Toronto are you located?  The GTA is a huge place.  Is there an Eagles bar near you at all?  Or even a bar sympathetic and makes sure the Eagles game is on?

I'm actually north of Toronto in Richmond Hill.  I say Toronto cause most people outside Canada would have no idea where Richmond Hill is (although I was born and grew up in Toronto).  Not aware of any Eagles friendly bars around here, but then again I'm at an age where I prefer to sit at home on my couch and watch games 😄

[xzmattzx]

On 3/17/2025 at 8:53 AM, Zee said:

I'm actually north of Toronto in Richmond Hill.  I say Toronto cause most people outside Canada would have no idea where Richmond Hill is (although I was born and grew up in Toronto).  Not aware of any Eagles friendly bars around here, but then again I'm at an age where I prefer to sit at home on my couch and watch games 😄

I know of Richmond Hill, but have not been up that way.  With my time spent in the Niagara Region, I really only have been along the lakeshore on the way to and in Toronto.

 

You're right, saying Toronto is easier.  But I know more about Ontario than most Americans, and probably a decent amount of Canadians from the less-populated provinces.

 

Do you attend Eagles games in Buffalo or Detroit?  The Eagles play in Buffalo this year, due to that AFC/NFC common opponent.  I try to attend every Eagles game in Buffalo (once every 8 years otherwise) because of my mom's family there.  I have never been to Detroit.

 

As an aside, what do you think about the on-and-off proposal for a second NHL team in the Toronto area in Markham?  That would be pretty close to you.

[Zee]

8 hours ago, xzmattzx said:

I know of Richmond Hill, but have not been up that way.  With my time spent in the Niagara Region, I really only have been along the lakeshore on the way to and in Toronto.

 

You're right, saying Toronto is easier.  But I know more about Ontario than most Americans, and probably a decent amount of Canadians from the less-populated provinces.

 

Do you attend Eagles games in Buffalo or Detroit?  The Eagles play in Buffalo this year, due to that AFC/NFC common opponent.  I try to attend every Eagles game in Buffalo (once every 8 years otherwise) because of my mom's family there.  I have never been to Detroit.

 

As an aside, what do you think about the on-and-off proposal for a second NHL team in the Toronto area in Markham?  That would be pretty close to you.

I have been to a couple of Bills games, but unfortunately never to see the Eagles.  I need to get out to an Eagles game live once in my life. 

A 2nd GTA team is needed for sure in the NHL.  There are so many people in this area, and Leafs tickets are so unaffordable to the average family. Would be a natural rivalry for the Leafs, similar to the Rangers/Islanders so I would be all for it. 

[xzmattzx]

14 hours ago, Zee said:

I have been to a couple of Bills games, but unfortunately never to see the Eagles.  I need to get out to an Eagles game live once in my life. 

A 2nd GTA team is needed for sure in the NHL.  There are so many people in this area, and Leafs tickets are so unaffordable to the average family. Would be a natural rivalry for the Leafs, similar to the Rangers/Islanders so I would be all for it. 

The Eagles play in Buffalo in 2025 and 2027, so you'll have two chances in the near future.

 

I'd like to see more NHL teams in Canada in general.  If the NHL ever plans on going to 26 teams, I think two teams should go in Canada: Quebec City, and either the Toronto suburbs or Hamilton.  (Phoenix and Houston would probably end up being the other two.)

 

Do you have a junior team that you follow?  We don't have junior hockey down here, and there is no minor league team in Delaware.  Being in Port Colborne in the summer, my OHL team would have to be the Niagara Ice Dogs.  There are Junior B teams in Port Colborne and Fort Erie.  I have not been to games for any of the three teams.

[Zee]

On 3/19/2025 at 11:42 PM, xzmattzx said:

The Eagles play in Buffalo in 2025 and 2027, so you'll have two chances in the near future.

 

I'd like to see more NHL teams in Canada in general.  If the NHL ever plans on going to 26 teams, I think two teams should go in Canada: Quebec City, and either the Toronto suburbs or Hamilton.  (Phoenix and Houston would probably end up being the other two.)

 

Do you have a junior team that you follow?  We don't have junior hockey down here, and there is no minor league team in Delaware.  Being in Port Colborne in the summer, my OHL team would have to be the Niagara Ice Dogs.  There are Junior B teams in Port Colborne and Fort Erie.  I have not been to games for any of the three teams.

I'd love to go down and see the Eagles play live, but unfortunately I won't be traveling to the USA anytime soon for obvious reasons right now.