To Mayor Eddie Moran, the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles exhibit many of the same values he sees in the city’s staff and residents.
“We support what the Philadelphia Eagles represent,” the mayor said, “hard work, unity, camaraderie and the hope they give to fans, the community and the region.”
City employees showed off some of their unity and camaraderie Friday by wearing football-themed attire to work.
While green was the predominant color in the offices and corridors of City Hall, not all are rooting for Eagles to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
Dressed in a red Washington team jersey, Fire Chief James G. Stoudt Jr. stuck out among those clothed in Eagles’ green.
“We need to talk,” the mayor said with a laugh and high-five, after spying Stoudt on the stairs outside City Hall, 815 Washington St.
Wearing a satiny white and green Eagles’ jersey, Moran squeezed into the group already assembled there for a photograph.
“Hey,” one of the staff shouted to the mayor, “I thought you were a Giants fan.”
“I am,” Moran replied, “but you have to support local.”
Though he is not a longtime Eagles’ fan, Moran said, he is joining with the region to support the team.
The mayor said he enjoys seeing those who are fans of the game, and even those who are not, join in the excitement of having a regional team in the Super Bowl.
“The pride for our region’s national football team is felt every time they win,” he said, “not only in Philadelphia, but in Reading too.”
While the mayor came up with the idea for a football-themed dress-down day, Human Resources Director Marcelino Colon added some incentive in the form of a raffle. All those dressed in fanwear, whether for the Eagles or another favorite team, were entered for a chance to win a $75 gift card, provided by Colon.
Reading Mayor Eddie Moran and part time staff assistant Joe Ayala with City Hall staff show their Eagles green Friday. (BILL UHRICH-READING EAGLE)
The winner will be announced Monday, said Helen Ramos, city risk and safety coordinator.
While at first glance, Ramos might have been mistaken for an Eagles’ fan, a closer look at the green logo on her hoodie gave her away.
Ramos roots for the New York Jets.
“Although some may support other teams during the regular season,” Moran said, “I still see friends, and even strangers, engaging in friendly banter and rooting for our local team to win at Sunday’s Super Bowl.”
To help show Reading’s support for the Philadelphia team, City Hall, the Penn Street Bridge, city-owned buildings at North Fifth and Penn streets and the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower on Mount Penn will be lighted green beginning Friday and continuing for an undetermined period.
Lighting the buildings green has a meaning beyond the show solidarity and support for the local team, the mayor said.
“It is also my hope that it may symbolize the unity, hard work and synergy that I often talk about,” he said, “and that is needed to accomplish great things for our city.”