Eagle Fans Asked for ‘Nice’ Holiday Cheer

A new TV campaign is urging Philadelphia’s notoriously boorish sports fans to be nice.

The public-service announcements, which feature athletes asking fans to “enjoy the game, don’t destroy it,” come as the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their first playoff game in four years--Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Veterans Stadium.

“The athletes wanted to reach out to the fans directly,” said Meryl Levitz, president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp., the group sponsoring the ads. “Part of the energy they get is from the fans, and we want it to be the right kind of energy.”

Philadelphia fans--affectionately known as “boo birds”--are notorious for their raucous behavior.

When they’re happy, there are displays like last week’s romp around Veterans Stadium by a fan stripped to his green briefs and Santa Claus hat.

When they’re unhappy, the booing is loud and objects fly. Cups, food and batteries have been launched from the stands. Even Santa Claus was bombarded with snowballs in the late ‘60s.

The problem was so bad that officials opened an “Eagles Court” in 1997 just off stadium grounds to allow unlawful fans to be arrested, tried and convicted on the spot.

City officials said security will be stepped for Sunday’s game.