Philly Leader

Amid the excitement of Super Bowl LIX's Opening Night at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie shared insights into his long-standing vision for the team. With the Eagles making their fourth Super Bowl appearance since 2004, Lurie emphasized a philosophy he has held since acquiring the team in 1994: "I can only be as good as the people around me," he stated. Lurie's focus on building a strong organization is evident in the team's consistent success over three decades.

Lurie recalled his admiration for sports figures like Bill Walsh and Red Auerbach, whose principles of teamwork and humility have guided his approach. He said, "It's always just about wanting to win a lot, win big, and do it with pride." Under Lurie's leadership, every head coach hired—Ray Rhodes, Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson, and Nick Sirianni—has led the team to playoff appearances.

Discussing organizational stability, Lurie noted the importance of having excellent people: "Stability is great when you have excellent people. Otherwise, that's not the case." He praised Howie Roseman and Don Smolenski for their long-term contributions to the team's culture.

Lurie also addressed staying ahead in the NFL by avoiding consensus decisions: "You want to think on your own...if you're just doing what everyone else does, you'll be 8-8."

Reflecting on this season's journey from a 2-2 start to reaching the Super Bowl, Lurie cited a conversation with Bill Belichick about early-season challenges. He expressed confidence in his team's potential: "Could we get from 2-2 to something special? And I thought we could."

The Eagles' international exposure began with a historic game in Brazil. Lurie remarked on their global presence: "I'm proud of that."

As fans prepare for Sunday's game against Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs, Lurie acknowledged their dedication: "Eagles fans travel everywhere we go in unbelievable fashion."

On quarterback Jalen Hurts, Lurie said: "He's just awesome...he's obsessed with being the best...all he wants to do is win and win big."