Although the Eagles are on their bye week, Lincoln Financial Field was put to good use on Thursday night. Delaware State, coached by former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, hosted Norfolk State, coached by former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
The two former teammates made a return to their former home for their first battle as college football head coaches in a primetime HBCU matchup. From the halftime show to special appearances from mainstream stars, HBCU excellence was on full display.
Here are the highlights of what took place on Thursday night…
Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick watches in the waning moments of his team’s loss to Delaware State in Thursday night’s HBCU showdown at Lincoln Financial Field.
Stars were out at the Linc
In addition to the action on the field, the star power on the sideline was worth the admission. The easiest one to spot was former quarterback Cam Newton.
At halftime, wearing an all-tan fit with a massive fedora decorated in pins, the three-time Pro Bowler danced and posed with fans just moments before North Philly rapper Meek Mill walked along the sideline.
Plenty of fans made their way through the main concourse excited to watch both HBCU teams play at Lincoln Financial Field. Whether they were representing the colors of Delaware State or Norfolk State, wearing vintage Eagles’ Jackson and Vick jerseys, or showing off their Greek letters, they gathered together with pride of belonging to an HBCU.
Anthony, 68, and Brigette Washington, 67, made the trip from Florida on Thursday morning to attend the game despite the stormy weather. Anthony attended Florida A&M University. Meanwhile, Brigette attended Morgan University. Although neither have connections to Delaware State or Norfolk State, they wanted to show support to all HBCUs.
Former Eagles players in now Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson, center, and Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick, right, hug after Delaware State beat Norfolk State 27-20 at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday.
“[HBCU’s] are family oriented,” Anthony said. “Once you step foot and you become an HBCU alumnus, you’ll always go back. Like what we’re doing now. We’re 70 and we’re still going back to the games. We just want to support both schools.”
Plenty of alumnus repped their colors, including 59-year-old Delaware native John Robinson. Robinson graduated from Delaware State in 1990 and is proud to see two HBCU teams getting to display their talents on such a big stage.
“What I’m looking forward to seeing tonight is HBCU excellence and the opportunity to show that to the entire world,” Robinson said. “I’m just thrilled that we have this opportunity and this platform to show who we are, how we support our schools and how necessary they are and also to show the world the top of NFL elite talent is willing to invest in HBCUs as we see with the coaching platforms of DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick.”
Norfolk State’s drum major dresses as Mickey Mouse during halftime of their game against Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday.
‘Approaching Storm’ stuns at halftime
When it comes to HBCU games, there are no bathroom breaks at halftime. For many fans, halftime is the real show. HBCU’s are known for their electric marching bands and Delaware State’s ‘Approaching Storm’ did not disappoint.
As soon as the band was introduced, fans reacted with one of the loudest cheers of the night. And as soon as silence rang through the stadium, the sounds of Boyz II Men’s “Motown Philly” echoed throughout the Linc followed by Danity Kane’s “Damaged.”
“That’s a tradition that’s been engraved in HBCUs going back as far as you want to look,” Robinson said. “The band and the drumline, that’s the fabric. That’s how we express who we are. That’s how we tell our story through song during sporting events and it’s heritage. It’s black pride. It’s culture.”
Delaware state representative, and Cheney graduate, Franklin Cooke Jr. added: “[Halftime shows are] very important. They’re just like athletes, you know doing all the steps, doing all the routines. It’s very, very important.”
Earlier in the week, 45-year-old West Philadelphia native Will Abbamont discussed the significance of attending an HBCU. Growing up on 46th and Fairmount, he didn’t see college as an option. Eventually, the Cheney graduate, and leader of the Sixers drumline, the Stixers, used percussion as a way to save his life.
“For me to get accepted to Cheney, it changed my life,” Abbamont said. “[My grandma] said you can either take these drumsticks, the jail cell or a graveyard. I picked the drumsticks. Didn’t know what to do with them. I asked her what to do with them and she said you will figure it out. That right there led me on the road to my goal to go to an HBCU.”
Norfolk State’s band plays during halftime of Thursday’s game against Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field.
Abbamont graduated from Cheney in 2001, where he majored in accounting and minored in computer programming. During his tenure at the school, he was part of Cheney’s drumline.
“The drumline is the culture,” Abbamont said. “The drumline sets the tone. To be honest with you, I know our HBCUs really weren’t known for their sports. For example, I went to Cheney. My Cheney football team wasn’t really that good. But everyone came to see the band.
“The band is the culture of the HBCU. The band is the heartbeat, the band is the lifeline, the band is what draws the attention. The sports team being good is a bonus when it comes to an HBCU…Halftime for us is when the game starts.”
The Eagles improved to 6-2 after a dominant 38-20 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. Jalen Hurts had another efficient performance, passing for 179 yards and four touchdowns — with just five incompletions. The Birds’ running game took a big step forward, recording 276 yards on the ground.
As the Eagles head into the bye week, here are some of the latest odds for yearly awards at two of the biggest sportsbooks …
NFC East odds update
Coming off their win over New York, the Eagles are still the favorites to win the NFC East. The Giants’ and the Dallas Cowboys’ odds to win the division have decreased following losses. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.
At both sportsbooks, the Eagles’ odds have slightly changed. However, at FanDuel, they still remain behind the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions as the front-runners to win the conference. At DraftKings, they’re also behind the Los Angeles Rams.
Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson catches a touchdown pass over New York Giants cornerback Korie Black.
Super Bowl odds
After Week 8, FanDuel still has the Eagles listed as one of the top five favorites to win the Super Bowl, trailing the Buffalo Bills and others, like the favored Chiefs. But at DraftKings, the Birds remain outside the top five, following the Rams and the Indianapolis Colts.
Jalen Hurts’ MVP odds have slightly improved after his performances the last two weeks. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes continue to battle for the top two spots at both sportsbooks.
Saquon Barkley’s odds for offensive player of the year continue to fall despite a successful Week 8 performance that saw the running back eclipse 100 yards for the first time this season.
The Eagles avenged their Week 6 loss to the New York Giants with a dominant 38-20 win at Lincoln Financial Field. However, much of the dialogue following the game still focused on the drama surrounding star receiver A.J. Brown, who didn’t even play on Sunday. There was also talk about Jalen Hurts’ performance — and his return to the MVP conversation — and the questionable officiating in the Birds’ Week 8 win.
Here’s a look at what they’re saying about the Eagles as they enter the bye week with a 6-2 record …
A.J. Brown trade talk
Brown sat out of Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury. Despite his absence, the Eagles offense dominated, finishing the game with a season-high 427 total yards. DeVonta Smith remained the centerpiece of the Birds’ passing game, recording six receptions (on nine targets) for 84 yards.
Everything came together for the Eagles, including the team’s previously spotty running game. The Birds recorded 276 yards on the ground, with Saquon Barkley eclipsing 100 rushing yards for the first time this season.
With all the drama surrounding Brown’s latest social media posts and the team’s success without him on the field, there’s already even more discussion centered on whether the team should trade the receiver.
“The only thing that gets or punctures momentum and a loaded roster is drama,” Colin Cowherd said on The Colin Cowherd Podcast. “And I’m watching them today and I’m like oh [expletive]. They almost have 300 yards rushing. Some of this is tied to A.J. Brown’s absence. They’re just free to do what they want to do. … I just don’t think this team needs A.J. Brown.”
“They’re not going to trade A.J. Brown,” Schefter said on ESPN’s Get Up. “Here’s the deal. They’re trying to repeat as a Super Bowl champion. They’re in the business of acquiring talent, not giving it away. And whatever they can get back for A.J. Brown, they can get back in February or March before the draft. They’re going to want him here to help the stretch run after the big win here, he’s not going to get traded.”
But he does believe the team will eventually make some moves moving forward.
“The Eagles don’t play again until two weeks from today in Green Bay,” Schefter said. “… If the Eagles don’t make a move to better their roster between now and then, I’d be surprised. That’s what they do. They’re always active. They’re always aggressive and they’re going to be that way again. I’ll be surprised if in the next two weeks, the Eagles haven’t pulled off at least one trade.”
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who had a big game in Week 7 against the Vikings, didn’t play in Sunday’s game against the Giants due to a hamstring injury.
Hall of Fame advice for Brown
Former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan asked Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning about the Brown situation on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. Manning did his best to offer advice to the team.
“I hate what’s going on there in Philly, it’s not fun to watch,” Manning said. “People always ask, ‘Hey, why did Marvin Harrison never complain about not getting the ball?’ Because I always threw him the ball.
“I hated the fact that A.J. Brown doesn’t seem happy and they’re winning football games. I would tell A.J. the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. There’s certain teams that if he wanted to go play for right now, I can promise you he would not be happy there. The Eagles are 5-2, they won the Super Bowl last year, there’s big games for him coming. … He’s not going to have 10 catches for 160 every single week, but if he just stays in there, I can promise you good things are coming.”
Peyton Manning knows A.J. Brown and the Eagles will get on the same page 🦅
"People always asked me 'Hey, how come Marvin Harrison never complained about not getting the ball? Because I always threw him the ball!" pic.twitter.com/C2iwNDCrhs
There were a few questionable calls in Sunday’s game, including a potential Tush Push fumble. Hurts was stripped of the ball while running the Eagles’ signature sneak play, but the officials ruled that the quarterback’s forward progress had been stopped. The play couldn’t be reviewed and the Eagles kept the ball. Here’s a look at what happened.
Referees ruled that Jalen Hurts' forward progress was stopped before Kayvon Thibodeaux took the ball away from him on the tush push pic.twitter.com/rW4Mx3MNv5
The Eagles scored two plays later. Former Eagles defensive end Chris Long discussed the ruling on the Green Light podcast.
“I thought the Giants got robbed on the Tush Push,” Long said. “Certainly, the game plays out a little bit differently in sequence if that changes. But, the whistle was the whistle. And that’s the problem. I see so many Tush Pushes where the forward progress is three, four, five seconds. I understand the case that Giants fans would make that Thibodeaux pulled that ball out. And I think he did. I think he did. Didn’t go their way.”
Hurts still found plenty of success through the air — completing 15 of 20 passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns — despite Brown being sidelined. The quarterback now has 15 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns, and just one interception through eight games.
Over his last two games, Hurts has thrown seven touchdown passes — and just nine incompletions. Numbers like those are enough for former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho to put Hurts in the running for MVP.
“Jalen Hurts has to be in the MVP conversation,” Acho said on the Speakeasy talk show. “I’m watching the game today and I’m thinking to myself, wait a second. In the midst of all the wide receiver distractions — and sometimes disregard the distractions — in the midst of the absence of A.J. Brown, you go out there and you get four touchdowns vs. a New York Giants team that’s incredibly hungry.
“You ain’t got A.J. Brown. So, you go out there and you do it with [Smith], Jahan Dotson, and Dallas Goedert. You’re finally starting to get active. The week before you go out there and you get three touchdowns with no interceptions. Now, all of a sudden Jalen Hurts has 15 passing touchdowns — these are not Tush Push touchdowns, people, 15 passing touchdowns — and five rushing touchdowns to just one interception. These are MVP-type numbers.”
.@EmmanuelAcho says Jalen Hurts "HAS to be in the MVP conversation!"
The NFL announced it has partnered with Lululemon and Fanatics to release a new apparel collection featuring all 32 teams across the league. This is the NFL’s first collaboration with the retailer.
The collection, which will be available exclusively at NFL Shop, Fanatics, and team shops starting Oct. 28, will feature Lululemon pieces for both men and women — and some Eagles.
“Together with Fanatics, we are introducing an elevated collection that redefines modern fan apparel and is uniquely designed for everyday comfort,” said Renie Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “Lululemon boasts a loyal fan base built on culture, meaningful connections, and innovation, qualities that thoroughly reflect the NFL.”
Former Eagles player Emmanuel Acho (right) poses with his brother and former Bears player, Sam Acho, to promote the NFL’s partnership with Lululemon and Fanatics.
The collection will include products from the retailer’s signature lines like Define, Scuba, and Align. Featured items will include crew neck sweaters, hoodies, quarter zips, crop tops, athletic wear, and belt bags.
To promote the collection, former players are part of the brand’s “Welcome to the Fam Club” campaign, including Nick Foles and Emmanuel Acho, both former Eagles. Joe Montana and Ryan Clark are also featured in the campaign.
“True NFL fans wear their pride. For them, fan gear is more than apparel, it’s a badge of loyalty and a way to instantly connect with a community that is like a family,” said Celeste Burgoyne, Lululemon’s president of Americas and global guest innovation. “We looked to honor that passionate devotion and are thrilled to be part of that ritual found throughout the NFL season.”
Although this is the first time Lululemon has partnered with the NFL, this is the second collaboration between Lululemon and Fanatics. The two partnered in 2024 to curate a collection of NHL Lululemon gear for 11 teams before expanding to all 32 teams the following year.
The collection featuring gear from all 32 NFL teams is set to release Oct. 28.
“We’re thrilled that Lululemon is bringing its premium apparel into the NFL for the first time,” said Andrew Low Ah Kee, Fanatics’ CEO of commerce. “This launch reflects our commitment to delivering elevated fan experiences and expanding our assortment with products that blend sport, fashion, and fandom. We’re proud to offer it across our online platform and team stores, giving fans new ways to show up with pride — on game day and every day.”
With the 76ers down by eight with less than five minutes remaining, fans started their long walk back to the parking lot.
But those who remained in place witnessed the Sixers battle back to make it a one-point game with less than two minutes to play.
Sixers rookie V.J. Edgecombe sparked the comeback with a crucial bucket with two and a half minutes remaining to cut the lead to one, causing fans to erupt.
With under 20 seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey found Quentin Grimes, who hit a three that helped the Sixers take a 122-119 lead with just 14 seconds left. After a timeout, Edgecombe walked onto the court and waved for the crowd to get loud.
They did just that as they watched the Sixers improve to 2-0 on the season, the first time Philly opened with consecutive wins since the 2020-21 season.
“I’m optimistic about this season,” said 68-year-old South Philly native John Ruggiano. “I think this season is going to be a turnaround for us.”
The team is already off to a better start than last year, when they opened with two straight losses and dropped 12 of their first 14 games before finishing with one of the league’s worst records. Fans are hopeful entering this season despite that slow start. Some are even already thinking about playoffs.
“For this upcoming season, I want the whole thing,” said 40-year-old Philly native Bob Balmores. “I want a championship. That’s all I’m looking for. But if not, at least a playoff appearance from them. And then maybe next year, expect a championship. We got a new squad, new players. Let’s see if they can gel and Nick Nurse can bring them all together.”
With less than nine minutes on the clock in the first quarter, Edgecombe drained a corner three for his first points of the night in front of the hometown crowd inside Xfinity Mobile Arena. The rookie’s bucket was followed by a massive cheer as fans rose to their feet.
After his stellar 34-point debut performance against the Boston Celtics, the 6-foot-5,195 pound guard has already become a favorite among Sixers fans — sparking excitement for a team that came into the year with low expectations.
Ahead of the game, fans were looking forward to seeing the Baylor product on home court, including 22-year-old Sixers fan Aidan Escuta.
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe celebrates with teammate Quentin Grimes in the Sixers’ win against Charlotte on Saturday.
“I watched Wednesday’s game against the Celtics and was really happy with what I saw,” Escuta said. “I really like V.J. [Edgecombe] and I’m excited to see him play tonight. I think it’s going to be a great season. I love his tenacity. I think he’s a very committed player and he’s very athletic. I like the way he plays basketball.”
That anticipation leading up to Edgecombe’s home debut was felt throughout the arena during the team’s opening introductions. After a hype video to welcome fans to the regular season, the announcer introduced Edgecombe to his new home.
At 6-foot-5 from Baylor, Number 77, V.J. Edgecombe.
Although Edgecombe didn’t find quick start as his debut, when the No. 3 pick finished with 14 points in the first quarter, he did produce 15 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.
Embiid’s promising performance
After a questionable season debut performance from Joel Embiid, the former league MVP quickly got things started for the Sixers. Embiid opened the night with a three ball, his first of three.
From that moment, the crowd was locked in.
Sixers center Joel Embiid gets fouled by Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (right). Still nursing his offseason knee surgery, Embiid finished with 20 points and two rebounds.
Embiid followed up with 20 points, four assists, and two steals during his 20 minutes on the court. Still on a minutes restrictions, Embiid is working his way back from a knee injury that made him miss most of the 2024-25 season.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee said the team prepared to compete against the peak version of the seven-time All Star.
“He’s a force,” Lee said. “Obviously, that’s how he won MVP of the league and he does it in a lot of different ways, but I think we have some really good individual defenders who are willing to embrace that challenge.”
The Sixers’ next challenge will be against the Orlando Magic at home on Monday.
After defeating the Minnesota Vikings on the road, the Eagles return home to host the New York Giants on Sunday. The teams last met in Week 6, when the Eagles suffered their second loss of the season, falling 34-17 to their division rivals.
The Eagles enter Sunday’s game as 7.5-point favorites after the Giants’ loss to the Denver Broncos last week. Will the Birds get a win over the Giants? Or will the Giants spoil the Eagles’ return to the Linc?
Here’s what experts in the local and national media are saying …
Coming off a big win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Eagles (5-2) will return to Lincoln Financial Field to host the New York Giants (2-5) on Sunday. As both teams prepare for their second matchup of the season, here are updated odds and interesting prop bets from two of the biggest sportsbooks…
Eagles vs. Giants updated odds
The Eagles and the Giants are meeting for the second time in two weeks, following a 34-17 Eagles loss to New York at MetLife Stadium in Week 6.
Earlier in the week, both sportsbooks had the Eagles listed as 7.5-point favorites. Since then, the odds haven’t changed as they enter Week 8.
JalenHurts is coming off an excellent performance in which he threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns to earn a perfect passer rating, making this the third consecutive week the quarterback has thrown for over 270 yards.
Jaxson Dart is coming off a Giants’ loss to the Broncos where he threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Dart has thrown for over 200 yards in two of his last four games.
For this week’s matchup, both sportsbooks have Hurts’ over/under set at around 205 passing yards, and Dart’s over/under is set at just under 200 passing yards.
Hurts has thrown for eight touchdowns in his last four games, while Dart has thrown for seven. In their last matchup, both quarterbacks recorded one passing touchdown. For this week’s matchup, both sportsbooks have Hurts’ over/under set at 1.5 passing touchdowns and Dart’s over/under set at 0.5.
In six of seven games, Saquon Barkley has rushed for under 70 yards. Last year’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year is coming off a game that saw him rush for 44 yards in the Birds’ win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Giants’ running back Cam Skattebo is coming off a game that saw him rush for 60 yards against the Denver Broncos.
A.J. Brown missed practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. The receiver played 46 offensive snaps against the Vikings, recording four receptions for 121 yards. Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith also stood out with nine receptions for 183 yards.
However, neither sportsbook has player props listed at the moment. Instead, they have the odds for Dallas Goedert and Barkley’s over/under in receiving yards. In the team’s last game against the Giants, Goedert finished with nine receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown. Barkley had two receptions for 9 yards.
For the Giants, Wan’Dale Johnson is coming off a game that saw him finish with six receptions for 95 yards. Giants tight end Theo Johnson added to that with three receptions for 66 yards.
In Week 7, Smith and Brown scored for the Eagles. For the Giants, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Dart, Daniel Bellinger, Johnson, and Skattebo found the end zone.
In their last meeting, Hurts and Goedert scored for the Eagles. Skattebo dominated on the ground, rushing for three touchdowns. Dart and Robinson also made their way into the end zone.
Inside the NBA made its highly anticipated ESPN debut on Wednesday during the league’s second night of action.
The hit show was originally televised on TNT before the network ended its NBA coverage following the 2024-25 season. But thanks to a licensing agreement between TNT Sports and ESPN, the show lives on.
Throughout its years on TNT, the show created plenty of iconic moments, from Charles Barkley’s comments on women from San Antonio to Shaquille O’Neal falling into a Christmas tree — multiple times. Now, it’s still making headlines on ESPN.
Here are some of the best moments from Wednesday’s show …
Barkley kissing up to ESPN
The original cast, featuring Ernie Johnson, O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Barkley, were excited to make their debut on ESPN. But Barkley may have been a little more excited than others.
“I was nervous today, I’m not going to lie,” Barkley said. “Every person who has ever touched a ball wanted to be on ESPN. They are the greatest sports network ever and to be working for these guys is an honor and a privilege. It is.”
Smith responded: “Do you want a napkin for all that kissing up you just did?”
Charles Barkley: "I was nervous today…Every person who's ever touched a ball wanted to be on ESPN. They are the greatest sports network ever."
Kenny Smith: “Do you want a napkin for all that kissing up you just did?”
Of course, the show wasn’t all about teasing Barkley. In fact, O’Neal gave the 11-time NBA All-Star a few compliments during the show.
“Chuck was fat last year,” O’Neal said. “Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.”
Barkley responded: “He got a point about the sex symbol. … Shout out to my doctors at Ro.co. I’m working out too, now. You’ve got to work out. You can’t just take a shot.”
We got the very first race to the board between O’Neal and Smith on ESPN — if we can even call it a race.
“We’re going to do it a little different,” Smith said. “You know how you do the fast walk? So you don’t hurt yourself. So, we’ll do a fast walk to the board.”
During the halftime show of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks game, Johnson counted down and the two walked quickly to the board. Within seconds, Smith took the first win of the year.
Barkley has created a number of unhinged moments — from comparing O’Neal to Shrek to discussing Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now, he’s done it again. When discussing the playoff picture, Barkley said the Miami Heat were out of the eighth spot.
Smith responded: “No, they play too hard.”
“They play hard,” Barkley said. “That’s like when you go out with a girl and you say she has a great personality. That just means she’s ugly. The Heat play hard. The Heat are not going to be in the top eight.”
Charles Barkley: The Miami Heat are out the 8th spot
Kenny Smith: Nah they play too hard
Charles Barkley: That’s like when you go out with a girl and you say she has a great personality that just means she’s ugly
Prime Video’s Allen Iv3rson follows the journey of 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson from Newport News, Va., to his career in the NBA, covering his life both on and off the court.
The three-part docuseries gives a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic moments from his Hall of Fame career — from the legendary “practice” press conference to his relationship with former Sixers coach Larry Brown.
But the project goes beyond the court, covering the life of Bubba Chuck and his roots in Stuart Gardens Apartments. The series, produced and directed by One9, is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and staying true to oneself.
“I think the truth comes out in their memories and it’s very unfiltered,” One9 said. “No one’s ever sat with him to get the raw honest truth. And I felt that if he was able to give me what he left on the court, what he gave to the game. If he was able to give me that in this film — that same raw, relentless, authentic heart — then we’re going to have something epic.
“You can find moments in this film that will inspire you, give you reason to reflect on how things in his life may resonate with what’s happening in anyone’s life. A lot of it deals with sacrifice. It deals with discipline, resilience, just speaking your uncompromising truth, and being true to who you are.”
The series features appearances from his family, former players, former Sixers president Pat Croce, and Brown. Here’s what we learned from Allen Iv3rson, which premieres Tuesday night at the Philadelphia Film Festival and is set to release on Prime Video on Thursday …
Bubba Chuck from Newport News
Most of Iverson’s friends won’t call him by his government name. Instead, they call him by his nickname “Bubba Chuck,” which is a combination of his uncles’ names. Growing up in Newport News, his uncles Stephen and Gregory Iverson were important male role models.
“From the time he was walking, he was always with us, and 90% of the time we’re at the basketball court,” Greg said. “He used to sit there and cry and want to get in the game. He was so small. I called him a crybaby because he would always cry all the time because he wanted to play, he wanted to come with us.”
Iverson added: “I wanted to be like my uncles because they were my heroes. I saw excellence in both of them. They were the rocks of our family.”
A good portion of the series covers Iverson’s relationship with his family as he grew up in the area’s low-income housing. The docuseries shows how Iverson went from hustling on the streets as a young kid to support his family to becoming a neighborhood icon with a street named after him.
“My heart is always going to be here,” Iverson said. “This is who I am. This is what made me who I am, you know what I mean? When I look at this, I think of the people from here. My life in these streets prepared me for the rest of the world. To me, this was my only world right here. Wherever I‘m at in life, I carry y’all with me. I come from the trenches. I come from where you can’t survive being weak.”
Allen Iverson plays against Villanova at The Spectrum as a freshman in January of 1995.
From City Farm to Georgetown
Iverson found success in football and basketball when he was younger, leading Bethel High School to state titles in both sports within the same year. He was highly sought by different colleges until an incident at a bowling alley changed his trajectory.
On Valentine’s Day in 1993, a 17-year-old Iverson went to a local bowling alley where things escalated quickly. A brawl eventually broke out, which allegedly stemmed from racial epithets said by white men in the alley.
“An argument started, all hell broke loose,” Iverson said. “First, when it was going on, I was watching. And then I saw somebody get beat real bad. And that’s when it clicked in my head like, ‘Yo, it’s time to go.’”
Iverson was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the incident — which resulted in no serious injuries. The case led to heightened racial tensions in Virginia.
“It was crazy because Virginia was divided because of me,” Iverson said. “It was tough seeing it on the news every day, the chaos of it all. I had this one [guard], man, this dude used to [expletive] with me so bad all the time. He just would not stop. Tawanna would come up to me … We would be holding hands and he would separate our hands, push us back.
“And then they used to have the scarecrow outside the jail with my jersey on, hanging from a noose. The mail that came in for me every day was hate mail. And then I had death threats every single day.”
Iverson’s sentencing received plenty of national attention. His mother, Ann, held a number of marches and boycotts to help get her son out of jail. Eventually, the 18-year-old was granted clemency by Gov. Douglas Wilder and was released after four months in prison.
Georgetown’s head coach John Thompson talks to Allen Iverson during a game against St. John’s on Jan. 24, 1996.
But Ann’s job wasn’t done.
Before Iverson was released she went to Georgetown coach John Thompson to beg him to bring her son to the Hoyas.
”I went to John Thompson,” Ann said. “He said, ‘Well, I’m not going to take Allen because I’m not recruiting Allen.’ And I just broke down. I broke down. I said, ‘If you don’t take him, somebody is going to hurt him because he lives in an environment that is not good. I’m scared.’ I asked him to put my son under his wing. He hugged me and he said, ‘I got you, baby girl, I got you.’ He said, ‘Because you’re the only Black momma that ever came up in here and said what they said about their son. And I got him. If he gets out of jail, I’ll take him.’”
Iverson had it rough from fans in other arenas during his first year at Georgetown, including during a game at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
“Every time I went to shoot a free throw they’re screaming, ‘Jailbird! Jailbird!’” Iverson recalled. “I remember when we went to Villanova there were four guys with orange jumpsuits on and they had chains on. Coach [Thompson] took us off the floor and said we’re not going to play if they don’t get them out of there.
“[Thompson] protected me. I didn’t talk to the media. He didn’t let people attack me like they wanted to. He taught me everything. He would call me throughout my career and we never would talk about basketball. We always talked about life.”
In his first season at Georgetown, Iverson won Big East Rookie of the Year, and was named to the All Rookie Tournament First Team. His second year, he led the team to a Big East championship and into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. After that season, he declared for the NBA draft.
“When I made the decision to leave Georgetown, it was a lot of hoopla because no player ever left Georgetown early,” Iverson said. “I knew after the season that I could be in the top five. When I found out that Philly was getting the first pick, I knew I had a real chance, a good chance at being the No. 1 pick. I just wanted to be an NBA basketball player. That’s the only thing that mattered to me. I was going to play every game like it was my last.”
Iverson was drafted with the first overall pick in 1996, a stacked draft that included Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash. Despite a 22-60 record, he found quick success, earning Rookie of the Year and making highlight reel plays — including crossing over Michael Jordan.
After his rookie year, Larry Brown was hired as the Sixers coach; he didn’t completely see eye-to-eye with Iverson.
“We butted heads,” Iverson said. “I was immature, somewhat high-strung, didn’t see the big picture. … I had him all wrong. He had the blueprint already.
“He was able to make everyone else better by making me better. He just was a masterful coach. Billy King, and Pat [Croce], they put them guys around me that were willing to let me dominate. It was basically, you kill like you kill. And your deficiencies, the things you can’t do, we’re going to do all of those things.”
Sixers guard Allen Iverson and head coach Larry Brown during the team’s 110-100 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers would win Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals.
At first, Brown and Iverson had a complicated relationship. It boiled over when Iverson didn’t show up to practice in 2002, leading to the legendary “practice” press conference.
“[Iverson] called me that night, late at night,” said Croce. “[He said], ‘I want Larry Brown fired.’ Larry Brown calls me, ‘You trade [Iverson] tomorrow. … Get rid of him.’ I said, ‘We’ll meet tomorrow. We’ll meet at the training facility.’ We went into this board room and it was ugly.
“Larry didn’t want to be called to the same level as his player. I didn’t care. ‘You’re not getting traded. And you’re not getting fired. I’ve never told either one of you what to do but I’m telling you right now. You’re both staying.’ … I said, ‘Both of you have the same love of basketball. Both of you have the intention and desire to win.’ I said, ‘You’re both looking in the mirror. Drop it.’ Allen got up, walked around the table, Larry stood up and he hugged and hugged for, it seemed like an eternity.”
Iverson led the Sixers to an appearance in the 2001 NBA Finals before falling to a Los Angeles Lakers team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
“As a player, he’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” O’Neal said. “When it comes to a championship, you have to be on a great team. No disrespect to the Philadelphia 76ers team, Allen Iverson was by himself. So, when it comes to status and recognition, there’s a lot of champions that we don’t even know who they are. But I guarantee you, you know who Allen Iverson is.”
Allen Iverson sits with Aaron McKie and Matt Geiger in the 4th period.dnphoto/Reynolds
Culture changer
When Iverson was a kid, he didn’t have the best clothes in the neighborhood. Instead, he would wear his sister’s pants for three days of the week, and when he went to prom with Tawanna, who became his wife and the mother of his children, he wore a pair of shoes that were two and a half sizes too small.
“I think he had on sweat socks actually, with his too-small shoes,” Tawanna said. “He complained about it. He didn’t dance at all at prom. After prom, it was like at a sports facility, and he couldn’t wait to get out of his dress shoes and play basketball.”
A few years later, Iverson would never have to worry about wearing shoes two sizes too small again. The young player signed a lifetime contract with Reebok in 1996. Iverson’s impact on the league was transcendent. As a small guard, he revolutionized the way players dressed and carried themselves, inspiring an entire generation to want to be like him.
“I didn’t know I was doing it,” Iverson said. “I did it. But I didn’t know I was doing it. I didn’t know I was securing a way for these guys today to be themselves. I didn’t know I was doing it because I was stuck on, ‘I ain’t doing nothing wrong. I’m being myself.’
“This many years later, taking an a— whooping for it is a blessing. Because now you see you can do your [stuff]. But, Chuck took that a— whooping for it. I just thought it was unfair. And the best part about my God, I just knew I was going to get through it all without folding.”
The Union clinched the second Supporters’ Shield in club history on Oct. 4 and finished the regular season with the best record in Major League Soccer. Now they’re getting ready to celebrate that accomplishment ahead of the playoffs with a pep rally at the City Hall Courtyard on Thursday.
The pep rally, which is open to the public, will take place between noon and 2 p.m., featuring interactive games, photo opportunities, surprise guest appearances, and an appearance from Phang, the Union’s mascot.
The Union finished with 66 points and a 20-8-6 record, setting a club mark for wins in a season. The first time the Union clinched the Supporters’ Shield was in 2020.
The Union will open the MLS Cup playoffs at Subaru Park on Sunday against the winner of Wednesday’s wild-card match between the Chicago Fire and Orlando City SC. As the top seeds, the Union will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
