Nick Foles, owner of a Exclusive space in Philadelphia Eagles history will be honored tonight during the Birds’ home opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field.
Last month, Foles announced his retirement after an 11-year NFL career. In a video posted on social media, the 35-year-old called it a “special privilege” to play for the Eagles, St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
“I especially want to thank the Philadelphia Eagles fans. Thank you for all your support from 2012 when I was drafted to 2017 when I came back,” Foles said in the video. “You really made the game against Philadelphia the most special experience of my football career.”
Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite Foles moments.
“They want ‘Philly, Philly’”: Foles catches TD pass in Super Bowl LII
Foles is the only quarterback in franchise history to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory. Before halftime of the 41-33 victory for the Birds about Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, Foles asked Doug Pederson a simple questionThen a legend was born.
In a video from Showtime’s “Inside the NFL,” Foles walks up to Pederson before a fourth down and goal and asks his head coach, “You want ‘Philly, Philly’?” Pederson replies, “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Philadelphia led 15-12 late in the second quarter when Foles lined up in shotgun position and then moved to the right side of the offensive line behind Lane Johnson. Jason Kelce snapped the ball to Corey Clement, who threw it to tight end Trey Burton — who was recruited to the University of Florida as a quarterback. Burton then threw the ball to a completely free Foles, who scored the touchdown.
Recently, Foles analyzed the movewhich was actually referred to as the “Philly Special” on his former teammate Chris Long’s podcast, Green Light. Foles admitted that the game almost never happened.
Foles said the Birds initially worked on a shotgun speed option, but “messed it up” on every rep in practice. The speed option was the first play before Foles threw the “Philly Special” to Pederson.
“Doug trusted me enough because he knew me well enough,” Foles said. “‘Nick senses this. Let’s do it.’ Because he could have overruled that play. But he stopped and said, ‘Let’s do it.'”
The Flea Flicker of the NFC Championship
The “Philly Special” wasn’t the only trick Foles executed flawlessly during the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl run. 38:7 defeat against the Birds In the Minnesota Vikings’ NFC Championship Game, Foles connected with Torrey Smith for a 41-yard touchdown after a flea flicker, all but officially securing the win.
The Eagles led 24-7 with 10:15 left in the third quarter. The game was essentially over, but Foles still threw a perfectly thrown ball from a flea patch into Smith’s arms, giving the Birds a 31-7 lead.
Foles threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC title game against the Vikings.
Foles’ 7-touchdown game against the Oakland Raiders
That memory goes back to Foles’ first action as an Eagle, Week 9 of 2013, his second season in Philadelphia and his ninth career start. Foles made NFL history in the Eagles’ 49-20 victory over the Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Foles became the first NFL quarterback seven touchdowns and had a perfect passer rating of 158.3. At the time, Foles was the seventh quarterback in NFL history to throw seven touchdowns in a single game, with Peyton Manning has at the beginning of the 2013 season. Now there are eight, with Drew Brees last doing so in 2015.
“I took everything slower. I tried to do what I’ve been doing all week in practice and translate that to the field,” Foles said after the win in Oakland. “I was informed of the record after the game. When I watch records my whole life, the best part is that you’re with the guys. For the Philadelphia Eagles organization, it’s special.”
Foles made the Pro Bowl in 2013 after throwing for 2,891 yards and 27 touchdowns with just two interceptions.
Foles sets Eagles single-game passing record
Once again, Foles was the starting quarterback for an injured Carson Wentz during the 2018 season, months after leading the Birds to a Super Bowl victory while filling in for the injured Carson Wentz.
All Foles did was break the Eagles’ franchise record for most passing yards in a single game in his last home game as Bird.
Foles threw for 471 yards and four touchdowns that led the Eagles to a 32-20 victory over the Houston Texans on December 23, 2018. Late in the game, Foles was forced out on a play after being hit late by Texans edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was fined over $40,000 for the hit.
“We stuck together through good times and bad,” Foles said after the game.
Foles and the Eagles almost advanced another unfortunate run the season after their Super Bowl victory, but the magic ended in New Orleans. The Birds lost to the Saints 20:14 in the NFC Divisional Round. It ended with Foles’ last game as Eagle.