Nick Foles
Nicholas Edward Foles (born January 20, 1989) is a former American professional football quarterback who's best known for leading the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in Super Bowl LII as Super Bowl MVP. His unlikely playoff run in the 2017 season ranks among the greatest underdog stories in NFL history.
NFL Career
Early Career
The Eagles drafted Foles in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. His breakout came in 2013. That season, he threw 27 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions and earned Pro Bowl honors. His quarterback rating hit 119.2, the third-highest single-season mark in NFL history at that point.[1]
Things didn't always stay smooth. He got traded to the St. Louis Rams, then spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs before returning to Philadelphia in 2017. This time he came back as a backup.
Super Bowl LII
Everything changed when starter Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury in December 2017. Foles stepped in as the starter for the Eagles' playoff push. Nobody gave them much of a chance, but they didn't care. The run went like this:
- Defeated the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round
- Beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in the NFC Championship Game
- Led the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII
In the Super Bowl itself, Foles threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass on the famous "Philly Special" trick play. That earned him Super Bowl MVP honors.[2]
The Philly Special
That play. The "Philly Special" became one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history. Here's what happened: 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line just before halftime. The Eagles called a trick play where Foles lined up in the shotgun, shifted to receive a direct snap-back from tight end Trey Burton, and caught a touchdown pass to extend the lead. It was audacious. It was perfect. That call showed exactly how fearless the Eagles were playing throughout the entire playoffs.
Philadelphia Legacy
Foles' Super Bowl run cemented his place in Philadelphia sports lore. He wasn't ever considered an elite quarterback. Not by a long shot. Yet his calm demeanor, clutch performances, and ability to deliver when everything was on the line made him beloved among Eagles fans. They still remember him that way.
The underdog angle fit Philadelphia perfectly. A backup quarterback leading his team to an unlikely championship against the heavily favored Patriots? That's the kind of story this city loves. It became an instant classic.
The Eagles commissioned a statue of Foles for display near Lincoln Financial Field. He remains one of the most popular figures in franchise history, even though he was only a starter for one magical season.
Post-Philadelphia Career
After Philadelphia, Foles signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. Later he played for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts before retiring. These days he's pursued religious ministry work and obtained a degree in divinity.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Nick Foles wins Player of Year". ESPN. January 2014
- ↑ "Nick Foles named Super Bowl LII MVP". NFL.com. February 4, 2018