The Swoop mascot is the official mascot of numerous sports teams and organizations. This character is often associated with enthusiasm, energy, and team spirit. The Swoop mascot may be seen at various sporting events, performing stunts, engaging with the crowd, and supporting the team or organization. The Swoop mascot is usually portrayed as a bird, often an eagle or a falcon. This choice of avian representation is often linked to traits such as strength, power, and agility. The Swoop mascot may be portrayed in a cartoonish or more realistic style, depending on the preferences of the team or organization.

2023 Super Bowl: Meet Swoop, the Philadelphia Eagles mascot

The Swoop mascot may be portrayed in a cartoonish or more realistic style, depending on the preferences of the team or organization. The role of the Swoop mascot goes beyond just entertaining the crowd. The character is often seen as a symbol of the team or organization's values and represents the spirit and energy that they wish to convey to their fans.

What is the story behind one of the most loved NFL mascots?

Swoop, one of the most beloved and iconic mascots in the NFL, is known for his fun-loving personality, being the centre of attention, and entertaining fans of all ages.

This is how the Philadelphia Eagles webpage describes Swoop, their famous bird mascot. He will be on show tonight up against KC Wolf as the Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LVII.

During a game in 1996 against the Steelers, fans were shocked to look up and see an eagle parachuting down from a cloud of smoke. As you would be. Because this was not the cuddly, fun-loving Swoop of today. Oh no.

• Check out the live coverage of the Super Bowl with AS!

'Swoop', la mascota de los Philadelphia Eagles, no solo anima, sino que también hace fotografías durante el encuentro de NFL que enfrentó a su equipo con San Diego Chargers. Rich Schultz Getty Images

A competition winner

The idea for Swoop came in 1995, a year after Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Eagles for $185 million. Lurie changed the team’s color scheme and logo before Alexander, then an intern, found the suit and presented the idea to the owner. They opened a competition and Swoop was chosen out of over 10,000 entries.

Jeff Alexander, the original Swoop, said “I was doing 300 appearances a year and meeting with kids in schools and malls, and there were definitely a few times where that look was not received well.” He told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Swoop was “a little too aggressive-looking and probably needed to be softened.

After Alexander left the role in 1998, the Eagles gave the character a makeover, a huge smile being the most notable change instead of his garish beak.

• Check out the controversy around KC Wolf, the Kansas City Chiefs mascot

A bald eagle with a big heart

Swoop is a bald eagle that wears the number 00 on his Philadelphia Eagles jersey. The website says Swoop’s diet consists of “smaller birds such as Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, and Seahawks; and of course cheesesteaks and soft pretzels.” No arguing from me.

It goes on to say that he was born in “Eagles forest”, and now resides in South Philly, “in the Eagles Nest high atop Lincoln Financial Field”, from where he regularly rides a zip-line down to the fans.

As well as supporting his football team, Swoop has a great money-making scheme. He can be requested for social events for $400 and non-profit events for $200, in which “during the hour, SWOOP is required to take a 15 minute break/can only appear in costume for 25 minutes prior to taking a break”, although it is recommended that “SWOOP appear for a shorter period of time than an hour to make the appearance most impactful for guests, i.e. a 20 minute appearance.”

Yesterday, EAF had the privilege of visiting Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center here in Arizona!

We learned all about their research, adult, and employment services, and spent time with children at their inclusive preschool. Thank you so much for having us! pic.twitter.com/JRqNWwIYVe

Swoop also has an inflatable version, that is used regularly, called Air Swoop. The relationship between the two is unknown. Throughout the NFL season, Swoop appears as an animated character in the Eagles Kids Club television show. Since the show’s firs episode back in 2005, the entrepreneurial animated version of the character has been serving as a host.

More detail:

• Who is the referee for the Super Bowl?
• Super Bowl 2023 injury status
• Watch: Chiefs vs Eagles QB matchup

About the author

Born in Leeds, Joe finished his Spanish degree in 2018 before becoming an English teacher to football (soccer) players and managers, as well as collaborating with various football media outlets in English and Spanish. He joined AS in 2022 and covers both the men’s and women’s game across Europe and beyond.

Swoop Philadelphia Eagles Retro Kelly Green Uniform Mascot Bobblehead

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Product Description

The mascot with the most is donning some throwback threads. Fly high in style with the Swoop Philadelphia Eagles Retro Kelly Green Uniform Mascot Bobblehead.

• Portrays Swoop posing in his Kelly green retro gameday uniform, ready to get the crowd on its feet
• Team-colored pennant backdrop, just like the one you had on your wall as a kid
• Team logo display on backdrop, in case there were any doubts where your allegiances lie
• Team name and “EST. 1933” text displays on backdrop, aka the first year anything mattered
• Team-colored base that will look great in your collection
• Miniature team helmet accent on top of base so you're ready to get your head in the game
• Jersey number display on front of base, even though we know he's No. 1 in your heart
• Field-textured top of base
• Front name display so everyone knows who the face of your franchise is
• Handcrafted
• Hand painted

Measurements

• Height: Approximately 8 in., base included

• NOTE: In order to get our bobbles to as many fans as possible, we have a strict limit of two (2) of these items per person while on pre-order. If we find this limit is being abused, we reserve the right to cancel and refund your order. Thank you for your cooperation!
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• Not a toy
• Edition Size: 144
• Individually numbered
• Officially licensed by the National Football League
• Imported

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‘An extreme character’: Eagles mascot Swoop endures for 25 years and counting

Swoop crash-landed at the Vet on his reveal night in 1996. More in your face than on your lap, the Eagles mascot mirrors the image of Philly's football fans.

Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie pretends to duel with Eagles mascot Swoop at a rally in the city hall courtyard on Dec. 24, 1996.Read more STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer

Tilting their heads skyward during halftime of an Eagles-Steelers preseason game Aug. 23, 1996, Veterans Stadium fans watched as, dangling brazenly from a tandem parachute, the home team’s new mascot emerged from an eerie veil of smoke and haze like the evil creation of some mad conjurer.

Even in that first glimpse, it was clear that Swoop was no warm and fuzzy mascot. There were none of the cuddly, clownish features that helped offset the Phillie Phanatic’s naughtiness. No crooked cap. No googly eyes. No disarming big belly.

Modeled on the fierce eagle in the team’s logo, which also debuted that summer, designers had instead stressed the bird’s predatory nature.

It was a look that figured to play well in the upper levels at the notorious Vet, where Eagles fans reveled in their tough and gritty reputation. But what about the parades, parties and store openings that soon would comprise the bulk of the mascot’s schedule? An intimidating 6-foot creature like that could give a generation of kids nightmares.

“I thought right away that Swoop was a little too aggressive-looking and probably needed to be softened,” recalled Jeff Alexander, the original Swoop. “I was doing 300 appearances a year and meeting with kids in schools and malls, and there were definitely a few times where that look was not received well. It was outstanding in the 700 level at Veterans Stadium. But at Children’s Hospital, not so much.”

Eventually, well after Alexander departed in 1998, the Eagles gave the character a makeover, a faint smile on Swoop being the most notable change.

“In 2012, the Eagles asked themselves, ‘How do we make Swoop more fresh, approachable and personable?’” said Brian Papson, the team’s marketing vice president. “We wanted him to be lovable, energetic, passionate.”

Now 25, Swoop is the second-oldest mascot on Philly’s major pro sports scene. If he hasn’t achieved the fame of the Phanatic — or even the much younger Gritty — he has, beyond all his furry peers, more accurately mirrored the image of his team’s fans. He is tough and combative, more in your face than on your lap.

“He’s definitely an extreme character,” Alexander said.

Nearing 50 now and living in Vermont, Alexander was at the heart of Swoop’s origin story. He had the initial idea. He crash-landed in costume at the Vet that first night. He imbued Swoop with the macho spirit the outfit demanded.

It began in 1995, a year after Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Eagles for $185 million. That’s when Alexander, a Norristown native and recent Drexel grad, went to work there as an intern.

One of Lurie’s first edicts was a change in the team’s color scheme and logo. And after Alexander found an outfit belonging to Huddle, a onetime Eagles mascot, the intern suggested this might also be the time to introduce a new character.

“I put that costume on, and it got me thinking,” he said. “So I put together a proposal to build a brand-new character. I remember going into Jeffrey Lurie’s office to present it to him. I felt that with the color and brand change, this would be a great time to pitch it.”

Eagles officials jumped at the idea. A contest was initiated to name the mascot. It drew 10,000 entries, the winning one from Joe Pepe, a South Philadelphia fitness buff.

Curiously, while officials in Philadelphia were unaware of the duplication, another Eagles team, Eastern Michigan University, already had a mascot named Swoop. And that character looked remarkably like his Philadelphia cousin, even wore his “00″ on its jersey.

“That’s strange, but as far as I know there’s never been any confusion or issues with this coincidence,” said Greg Steiner, Eastern Michigan’s associate athletic director for communications.

To produce the character Alexander envisioned, the Eagles hired a company that had created several NBA mascots.

“They came up with that head, a chest plate, pads, wings that snapped on, size-17 Reeboks,” Alexander said. “It wasn’t the vision I originally had, but I was the guy who pitched it and I was just a young kid going after it, so I didn’t have too much to say.”

Recognizing the character’s inherently Philly “atty-tood,” Alexander suggested a daring debut. Swoop would introduce himself to the world by parachuting into the Vet at halftime of the Steelers-Eagles exhibition game.

To prepare, Alexander practiced with the GERONIMO! Skydiving Team from Elkton, Md. The heavy, awkward costume made maneuverability difficult, so he had to jump with a partner. He made 11 practice jumps, six at night since it would be an 8 p.m game.

That August night, Philadelphia International Airport shut down its traffic as the plane carrying Swoop and two other skydivers circled 10,000 feet above the Vet.

There was much to worry about. It was hazy, and Swoop and his partner were going to have to follow a smoke trail left by the earlier jumpers. And, since the Phillies were still playing, there were concerns that jumpers could get snagged on the guide wires attached to the Vet’s foul poles

“We had radio contact with the stadium and we only had an 8- or 12-minute window at halftime,” Alexander said. “But we were ready to go.”

That time frame seemed in jeopardy when, with all the skydivers lined up inside the plane, the first jumper’s chute prematurely opened.

“We were like, holy …. this is crazy,” Alexander said. “But we pushed him aside and the second guy jumped. Now when we jumped, we only had one guy to follow.”

With the theme from “Superman” blaring over the stadium’s loudspeakers and all eyes on them, they all found the big concrete bowl. But Alexander’s chute was slightly off course and the tandem’s specific target, the 50-yard line, was out of reach. Instead, Swoop and his partner careened into the crowded Eagles sideline, where Alexander recalled they took out a Gatorade table and at least two cheerleaders.

Swoop quickly picked himself up, unharnessed, knelt to kiss the Vet’s turf, then headed out to midfield for a planned dance with the surviving cheerleaders.

“I did the dance, staggered into a tunnel and collapsed,” said Alexander. “It was a great unveiling.”

The adrenaline rush emboldened Alexander. In the future he would train with the Philadelphia Police Mounted Unit in order to gallop into the stadium on horseback before a Dallas Cowboys game. When the team hosted Pittsburgh and its star running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, he entered by crashing through a cardboard bus. He kicked field goals at halftime. And once, when Swoop ran to greet Ty Detmer after a touchdown, the ecstatic Eagles QB inadvertently unmasked and nearly decapitated him.

For a nationally televised game in 1998, Swoop planned to zip-line in from the Vet’s lofty penthouse suites to the field. But during a Friday practice run, the harness came undone and he fell 30 feet into folding chairs in the 100 level.

“The question was would I be able to do it on Sunday?” Alexander said. “I said, ‘I’ve got to do it even though I’m hurting. It’s Swoop.’ We did and it went off perfectly. But all these years later, my back still hurts.”

The ambitious Alexander sought out corporate partnerships for the mascot. Deptford Honda provided a four-wheeler. He made a shoe deal with Reebok.

And after departing in 1998, Alexander started his own marketing company, manning characters at events for the Philadelphia Zoo, Penn Maid Dairy, and Wawa.

“Instead of those companies putting a random intern into the costumes,” he said, “I had a crew of guys who were trained.”

He left that for a job at a Vermont ski resort and now works with Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, a charity that, in his words, “makes sure everybody has the opportunity to play, no matter your ability or disability.”

In the meantime, the character he created endures, though in a slightly more genial iteration.

“Swoop has gone on the road to Los Angeles, to London, to Super Bowls,” Papson said. “He represents the Eagles in the community. He’s year-round. He’s available when players and coaches aren’t. He speaks all languages through body language and engagement. He’s just a great brand ambassador.”

Even if some kids might still be reluctant to give him a hug.

The Swoop mascot may also engage in community outreach, participating in charity events or school visits to promote positive values and encourage fan engagement. The Swoop mascot is typically a beloved figure among fans, as they often have a strong emotional connection to the team or organization that the mascot represents. The Swoop mascot's presence at games and events often creates a sense of excitement and unity within the fanbase, fostering a sense of camaraderie and support for the team or organization. In conclusion, the Swoop mascot is an essential part of many sports teams and organizations, representing their values, energizing the crowd, and fostering a sense of unity among fans. This character contributes to the overall atmosphere and experience surrounding sporting events, creating a lasting impression on those who witness their spirited performances..

Reviews for "The Swoop Mascot's Influence on Youth Athletics: Encouraging Active Lifestyles"

1. Lisa - 2 stars - I have to say, I was really disappointed with the Swoop mascot. First of all, it's just a generic eagle costume that you can see at any sporting event. There's nothing unique or special about it. Secondly, the person inside the costume didn't seem very enthusiastic or engaging. They just stood around or did some basic dance moves, and it felt really lackluster. Overall, I expected more from the Swoop mascot, and it was definitely not worth the hype.

2. Mike - 1 star - I can't understand why people are so obsessed with the Swoop mascot. I found it incredibly annoying and distracting during the game. The constant jumping, flapping wings, and exaggerated gestures were just too much. It felt like they were trying too hard to be funny or entertaining, but it came off as forced and irritating. I would much rather watch the game without the mascot's antics. It's just not my cup of tea.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Swoop mascot was unimpressive and forgettable. The costume itself looked worn out and old. The person inside didn't seem to have any energy or enthusiasm. I barely noticed their presence throughout the game. It's a shame because a good mascot can really enhance the experience, but Swoop didn't do anything to make a lasting impression. I wouldn't even be able to recognize it if I saw it again. Overall, I think the Swoop mascot needs a major revamp to be more appealing and engaging.

The Swoop Mascot's Philanthropic Efforts: Giving Back to the Community