City officials urged those in Philly to celebrate the Eagles responsibly, and respectfully.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, along with Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, and Dominick Mireles, Director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management, urged Philadelphians to avoid climbing light poles or any other structures during post-game festivities.
The plea comes almost two weeks after an 18-year-old Temple University student died after falling from a light pole he had climbed while celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl-clinching win in the NFC Championship game.
Toronto, Canada native Tyler Sabapathy, an exercise and sport science major at Temple and a member of the school’s club gymnastics team, was one of many in Philadelphia who climbed poles after the Eagles’ victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 26. While climbing at 15th and Market streets, Sabathay slipped, falling flat on his back and hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk below. He was hospitalized with a brain injury and was pronounced dead two days later.
“Don’t climb light poles or anything else. Please Philadelphia. I implore you as your mayor — do not climb light poles,” begged Parker during Thursday’s news conference. “Climbing up a light pole or bus shelter… it can lead to tragedy. Just don’t climb onto anything — that is our golden rule.”
Philadelphia police, as well as state police and the city’s fire department will be deployed throughout the city, including Broad Street, Frankford and Cottman avenues and other sites that are popular for celebration gatherings.
“We will have all hands on deck on Sunday,” Bethel said. “We will have a significant level of staffing. We will have our drones deployed with air coverage. Our goal is to make this a safe endeavor.”
Following the NFC Championship game, a total of 31 citations were issued for Disorderly Conduct or Failure to Disperse, according to the PPD. Among those cited were 30 adults and one juvenile. There were four assaults on police officers reported, two of which resulted in arrests. Additionally, there was also one stabbing, two shootings, one vandalism incident, and one report of a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians, authorities said.
The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to check Metro Philadelphia for updates on local preparations and Philly Sports Network for game coverage.
