ESPN’s next installment of 30 for 30 returns Friday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN App) with “The Philly Special,” a documentary exploring how one audacious play call in Super Bowl LII became more than a trick play — it became Philadelphia’s rallying cry.
The film traces how the moment that propelled the 2017 Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title grew into a cultural emblem of grit, resilience and underdog pride. “Special” features ESPN Monday Night Countdown analyst Jason Kelce — a former star center for the Eagles — as well as his teammates Nick Foles, Corey Clement, Trey Burton and then head coach Doug Pederson. They each played key roles in the trick play’s success.
“The Philly Special” captures the emotion of the night and the mythology that followed. It’s a love letter to a city that lives its identity out loud. Ahead of the premiere, Front Row spoke with NFL Films’ co-directors Angela Zender and Shannon Furman about the film.
You’ve called “The Philly Special” a real-life “Rocky” story. What part of that underdog spirit felt most essential to preserve on screen?
Zender: The underdog theme is present on so many levels in the film. The underdog city of Philadelphia itself. It’s a city that sometimes gets lost, located between New York — the financial capital of the world — and Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital.
After the [starting quarterback] Carson Wentz injury, everyone dismissed the Eagles for the rest of the season. When they finally did make it to the Super Bowl, they were underdogs again playing against the [New England] Patriots, the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL. It was David versus Goliath. Rocky versus Apollo Creed. And when the Eagles won, it was an underdog “Rocky” team that did it. It made Philadelphia’s movie legacy its real-life legacy.
As a lifelong Eagles fan, what was the most surreal moment of revisiting The Philly Special play with the five men who made it happen?
Furman: After a long day of shooting and watching their pure joy reenacting the play at the top of the [Philadelphia Museum of Art] steps… That was a ‘pinch-me’ moment for me. Then seeing it all come to life on the screen makes it even better.
What surprised you most about how “The Philly Special” seeped into the city’s culture?
Zender: The permanence of it. This play happened eight years ago, and you can still feel its presence in the city. When we shot fans throughout Philadelphia talking about it, they remembered every single detail like it was yesterday. That play and Super Bowl victory meant everything.
When viewers finish the film, what do you hope they feel about Philadelphia?
Furman: I hope they have a better understanding of where the passion comes from that Philadelphia sports fans exude, and why this team, particularly these five men, are a perfect representation. When fans hear all the background of how this play became real life, they’ll learn why this team was destined to be Philadelphia’s first-ever Super Bowl champion.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2010, Foles was a University of Arizona star who visited ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., campus.
For more, visit ESPN Press Room
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