It’s never been a worse time to be a Philly sports fan. The four major local teams have all failed to win a playoff series for a combined 22 seasons and all missed the playoffs in the last calendar year. The constant rebuild on South Broad seems never-ending.
However, it’s possible there is no better city for sports-related social media than Philadelphia. Complex.com has credited the Sixers with having the second best social media presence in the NBA, and the Phillies just launched Spanish-language twitter page.
As far as indivual personalities go, the city is also top-notch. Here are the five must-follow Philly star athletes to find and add on Instagram and Twitter right now.
On Tuesday, Joel Embiid was driving around Philadelphia and saw some kids playing on an outdoor court. He felt compelled to teach them how to “trust the process,” got out of this car and hooped it up. A video he posted of him stuffing a 10-year-old is as hilarous as it is heartwarming.
Jo Jo’s Twitter and Instagram feeds have also, in recent weeks and months, contained videos of him dunking between his legs, asking Donald Trump for support for his NBA All-Star bid, and countless attempts to get his celebrity crush (probably Rihanna) to “slide into his DMs.” He’s the NBA’s social media champion.
The Eagles franchise quarterback is also a must-follow, recently having revealed his favorite cheesesteak (it’s venison). Wentz gives followers the chance to see him hunting (alongside his entire offensive line), and perhaps the cutest Instagram puppy you’ve ever seen. His positive energy and leadership that makes him a natural quarterback in the Birds’ locker room also makes him pleasure to follow.
The Sixers’ 2016 first overall pick has yet to play an NBA game, but from watching his videos on Instagram one would never guess. The oft-shirtless 20-year-old can be seen crossing up and dunking up a storm, fueling hype that he is close to being healthy and will make his debut when next season starts. He certainly offers positivity on his social channels.
Ertz is less flamboyant that his Sixers counterparts but as a 20-something experiencing life as a pro athlete and as a newly wed to another pro athlete (he married pro soccer star Julie Johnston this past summer) his posts are uplifting and entertaining.
The Flyers captain, like Wentz, is extremely puppy friendly. He is also not shy to show off his gorgeous Canadian fiancee. The only knock against Claude is that he only updates once every few weeks.
