Nick Foles is back in Philly for the first time since he was an Eagle. He has advice for Hurts and hopes for a future in the city.
Foles is also waiting for Jason Kelce’s next Super Bowl parade speech, and outfit.
In a Groundhog Day-like chain of events, the Eagles are again heading to the Super Bowl and Nick Foles is back in town.
The MVP of Super Bowl LII stopped by Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday morning to testify in a medical negligence lawsuit involving a former teammate’s doctors.
His visit surprised many in the municipal building.
“Yo, you saved our city that one time!” one passerby told him and asked for a selfie.
Now with the Indianapolis Colts, Foles made history five years ago by leading the Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win. On Thursday, he came back to Philadelphia to testify on behalf of his friend and former Eagles teammate, Chris Maragos, in his medical negligence civil trial over the care he received for a knee injury he suffered during that historic season.
» READ MORE: Nick Foles and other 2018 Super Bowl champs testify in Philly court for ex-Eagles captain suing his doctors
Outside the courtroom, in a green button-down shirt and sunglasses, Foles offered his advice to Jalen Hurts — from one Super Bowl champion to a younger quarterback who could earn a ring on Feb. 12.
“I think, just do what he’s been doing,” Foles said. “He’s had an MVP-caliber year.
“Most importantly, he’s been leading the guys well, and they respond to him. You can tell that when he steps on the field there is a huge effect to the game, and that’s what makes a player so valuable. And not only that, he doesn’t have to do it himself. He has great players around him. He’s got a great O-line. He’s got a great D. He’s got a great team.”
His recipe for success under these conditions: “Just go do your part and you’re going to be fine.”
Foles played for both the Eagles and their 2023 Super Bowl opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid, the former Eagles coach who now leads the Chiefs, drafted him in 2012. He has played with both brothers who together make up the Kelce Bowl — Eagles center Jason Kelce and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Foles hasn’t forgotten Jason Kelce’s speech from the 2018 Super Bowl parade, or his Mummers outfit.
“I can’t wait for his next outfit, his next speech, his Hall of Fame speech. The guy is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He’s the heart and soul of that team,” Foles said.
» READ MORE: Eagles linemen share their best Jason Kelce stories, from schooling rookies to losing his trunks in Lake Lanier
He said that leading up to the Super Bowl, he didn’t agree to do marketing deals or promotions. He didn’t want to have any distractions.
“You’ve just got to block out the noise,” he said. “Honestly, I only really talked to my wife during the two weeks leading up to it.”
After winning the Super Bowl, Foles told jurors in court, he specifically recalled standing on the field and holding his young daughter, Lily — looking out at his team, coaches and fans, taking in the joyous scene.
“It’s more than the ring, the ring stays in a drawer somewhere,” Foles said. “It’s more than the game, it’s the people — the journey everyone went on, the sacrifice everyone went on to be there.
“The moment you win the Super Bowl, everyone wants to know what you feel. The race is over, and you won the race because you’re on top.
“It’s very special and humbling.”
This visit to Philadelphia is his first since he was an Eagles player, and it’s an emotional one.
“Your heart starts beating a different way,” Foles said outside the courtroom. Banners draped on buildings surrounding City Hall — where Foles testified Thursday — read “Fly Eagles Fly,” and “Go Eagles.”
”Even flying and seeing it, all these emotions start coming back,” he said.
The memories extend beyond the Linc. Twice, the Philly area was his home.
“We went out to Talula’s Garden last night and my wife and I would go on date nights there, so I was sending her pictures of the food and the menu,” he said.
Will Philadelphia see Foles wearing midnight green at the Linc again? He’d welcome it.
“I look forward to coming back and visiting the city and, you know, hopefully even, when it’s all said and done, just retiring an Eagle,” Foles said. “I think that’s the right thing to do.”
Meanwhile, the staff of Talula’s, the Washington Square Park restaurant, appears to be doing its part in luring Foles back to Philadelphia.
“I’m so full! I’m going to be a left tackle because they brought so much food out,” he said. “It’s just a special city.”