Shortly before the Sixers became ice cold, the NBA saw to it that the Sixers get some national TV time in March. I look forward to hearing the national perspective on the 76ers however, I dread the overused clichés and into commercial video montages that come with it. As a native Philadelphian it gets old seeing the city get short changed and stereotyped into the same role for the past 25 years, for once it would be nice if the media could find something slightly different to focus on.
Here are my top 5 misconceptions the National Media has about us:
5. Rocky took place in South Philadelphia- In the original Rocky movie; Rocky lived in Kensington, which is in NORTH PHILLY. In Rocky II, he moved to South Philly and only for a few months by Rocky III he was in rockin’ a mansion as his home. A few month living in South Philly does not make him from South Philly, if you feel it does, then you should also consider the best fictional boxer of all-time an LA native and a Russian, because he lived in those places for a few months through-out the Rocky series too. In Rocky V he moves back to North Philly, NOT South Philly, Rocky VI also takes place in North Philly. Rocky Balboa is from North Philly.
4. Philadelphians love their Pat’s and Geno’s – No we don’t. Ask a true Philadelphian Pat or Geno’s and they will say neither. The only good thing about Pat’s and Geno’s is they are open late into the night after the bars close, their Cheesesteaks aren’t terrible, but they aren’t that great either, other places make them better, and are much cheaper and every Philadelphian knows it.
3. South Philly is all old school blue collar Italians – At one time, before I was born in 1987 that may have been true, but it isn’t anymore so please stop it. It can be argued there are just as many Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, and Hipsters in South Philly as there are authentic Italian-Americans. There have been countless articles in the Inquirer in the past five years asking where have all the Italians in the Italian market gone. There are definitely some blue collar sections of South Philly, but I would argue the section of the city that is filled with the most blue collar workers is North East Philadelphia. The majority of Police and Firemen live there along with various other union workers.
2. Well, this is the same group of people that threw snow balls at Santa – Wrong. Most of the people who threw the snow balls at Santa are over 65 years old and probably retired to Florida by now. I know I am being technical about it, but so are the broadcasters who make this comment. Every large fan base from a passionate city or college has had an ugly moment. Canuck fans riot literally every time their team loses in the Cup finals, New York Giants fans threw ice balls at referees, Brown’s fans beer bottles onto the field, White Sox fans beat up first base coaches the list goes on and on. If a broadcaster is going to use that phrase on Philadelphia then I hope when he calls a Canucks game and fans boo a bad performance by their team the same guy goes, “Look out this might start a riot,” chances are he won’t.
1.Philadelphia is a tough place to play – No it’s not, and here is why: The Philadelphia Eagles long snapper is a celebrity in this town. In most NFL cities people have no clue who the long snapper is until he messes up, not here. Jon Dorenbos has never screwed up, yet the majority of Eagles fans recognize him. Cliff Lee blew the Phillies season last October, we love him. David Akers blew a playoff game to the Packers, we still love him. We honor a team that won a cup forty years ago four times a year (minimum) at the Well Fargo center.
Mitch Williams who gave up the most painful home run in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies is adored as is the rest of the 1993 Phillies who never won a title for the city. Our players are treated like royalty here, and unlike LA and New York they don’t really have to worry about dealing with a paparazzi-like media. If I was a professional athlete, a tough place for me to play would be Tampa Bay because no one cares and there is no energy in that area’s stadiums for games.
Society is full of stereotypes and philly is not immune from lazy journalism any more than any other person, place, or thing…
Sometimes things happen to perpetuate the stereotypes, and other times its just people repeating what they have heard.
Jerry, there are still a lot of older people (40 Years +) that still live in Philly that have a life time of dissapointments with the Phillty major 4 Sport Teams..
You write as all of us older folks who were fans during the 70’s have retired and moved to Florida which isn’t true….
Philly is a tough place to play for most of the fans and surrounding people don’t like to see star Professional athletes give less than 100#, FAns can take losing teams if they give it their all, but twhen effort and hear and passion for the sport is not there, then the Fans see through these players and will voice this displeasure and I never see that changing.. The Local Media does have a level of arrogance about them which fuels the fire and has a tendancy to make big deals out of small situations.. but that happens in many places… Look at Boston, NY, Chicago which are all difficult places to play.. It’s about integrity and a honest effort which could be said for most everything that fans will warm up and support when displayed.. Fans do not want to hear whining, excuses or a lack of heart and passion by their teams athletes..
Paulman what the hell are you talking about, it looks like you are responding to an totally different article LOL! You do realize the snow ball throw happend in 1964, so in all fairness most of the people who were of age to drink a beer would be in the AARP bracket.
Jerry, you probably are just some geeky kid from Bucks County or something.. Blue Collar, pssh, you wouldnt know a thing about it.