Eagles fans are known to travel well for away games, bringing their energy and Birds gear all across the country.
But for a father and son from Sydney, Australia – the same hometown as left tackle Jordan Mailata – traveling to watch the Eagles play brought a whole new meaning.
Michael Roach and his son, Alexander, recently made the trip all the way from Australia to see not one but two Eagles games in two different states within a week of each other.
Michael's fandom began in 2012 as his brother, David, watched NFL games that they were able to get on TV and the Eagles were one of the teams that was featured often.
With a 16-hour time difference, Michael would be up around 4 AM before work to watch football in Australia. Later that year, his wife, Jocelyne, and him traveled to America for their first Eagles game against Washington. Despite the loss, they began to resonate with the city that was so far away.
"It was just the Philadelphia spirit, just a tough team and it's a working-class town just like where we're from. We're just regular people, just hard working and we kind of related to that and the kind of football the Eagles played was even more interesting," Roach said. "It was interesting learning the game and watching it each week."
Michael and his brother would later come back to the States and attend the NFC Championship game in 2018 against the Vikings when the Eagles won 38-7 to advance to Super Bowl LII.
"That game was probably the best experience of my life, because there's nothing that's ever compared to that championship game. Just the city, the feeling going into the city, everyone was so pumped for that game. It was so great to be around, the passion was another level," Roach said.
But when Michael's son Alexander came into the picture and became an Eagles fan, Michael had to make it back to America to show him what being a fan is truly like.
Just like Michael, Alexander would get up at the crack of dawn to watch the beloved Birds each week. When Michael found out the Jaguars would be the first Kelly Green game in Week 9, he made his move to get back to America with an extra added twist.
On top of attending the Jaguars game, Roach and his son took a tour of Lincoln Financial Field and explored the City of Philadelphia.
"It was amazing to be able to see where the players set up and come through the tunnel and actually walk on the field. I can't explain how happy my son was. The smile on his face and just the awe he was in, it was everything. He was having the time of his life," Roach said.
The day after the Jacksonville game, Michael and Alexander flew to Dallas to watch the Eagles beat the Cowboys 34-6.
The two were also given sideline passes from the Eagles to go on the field at AT&T Stadium before the Cowboys game. They even tried to extend the trip to return to Philadelphia for the Washington game, but Michael's wife and three daughters understandably wanted them home.
Although the travel days from Australia to Philadelphia were around 24 hours, it was worth the multiple connecting flights both ways and time adjustments as the father and son had the time of their lives.
Outside of the Jaguars game, Michael and Alexander went to Alexander's favorite place, the Eagles Pro Shop, saw the Art Muesum, tried a cheesesteak, and were surrounded by fans in green just like them – a change from Australia.
Alexander even got to meet and take photos with players such as Mailata, Brandon Graham, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and more.
And even in Dallas, they were surrounded by Eagles fans alike.
"I was so surprised, I know Eagles fans travel well, but there were so many fans there and they were screaming out to us, 'Go Birds,' Roach said. "Everywhere we looked was green in Dallas, so it was awesome. We got a bit of hate from some of the fans, but it was all in good spirit, but my son, he gave it back to them – he didn't hold back."
When the two arrived safely back in Australia from Dallas, they were already thinking about their next trip back to Lincoln Financial Field.
"It was awesome. He (Alexander) still has a smile on his face. He had the best time; he's already asking me when we're going back," Roach said.
– Written by Liam Wichser
