PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized Monday for gesticulating and criticizing fans in the final moments of a victory during which restless fans booed a listless performance and “Fire Nick!” The chants permeated the pockets of the Lincoln Monetary Subject.
Syriannni, a frequent trash talker, put a finger in his right ear and yelled at fans in the front rows of the Linc on Sunday. Flanked by his three young children, Sirianni defended his antics following a narrow victory over Cleveland, saying he was simply “excited” to get a win. The fourth-year coach added that the Eagles “don't necessarily like” it when fans boo at home games.
Sirianni took a conciliatory tone for his behavior a day after fans and the media criticized his rude behavior.
“Yesterday I was trying to bring energy. Energy, enthusiasm,” Sirianni said Monday. “I'm sorry and disappointed in how my energy was directed at the end of the game. My energy should be focused on training, motivating and celebrating with our guys. “I have to have greater wisdom and discernment about when to use that energy and that was not the time.”
Sirianni said players had urged him during the bye week to bring the kind of passion he showed on the sideline when the Eagles reached the Tremendous Bowl in the 2022 season and started 10-1 last year. Jalen Hurts and Brandon Graham were among the veterans who publicly supported Sirianni after the Eagles (3-2) held on to beat lowly Cleveland 20-16.
Sirianni said that as of Monday afternoon he had not yet met with team owner Jeffrey Lurie. Syriannni attributed his change in tone to a period of reflection and compared the apology in football terms, saying it was no different than when a coach wished he could repeat a bad play.
“You want to be passionate and have energy just like I had today there with the guys when we watched the movie together,” Sirianni said. “It's about having that discernment of when to do that. I wish there was a guide for things like that. It would make the job a little easier to do.”
Perhaps his most infamous fan interaction came last season when he barked at Chiefs fans after the Eagles won a Tremendous Bowl rematch. Pressure mounted on Sirianni after the Eagles lost six of seven games (including the playoffs) down the stretch, leaving his job status over the summer in doubt. He earned a pardon from Lurie, only to find himself once again embroiled in controversy for failing to keep his emotions in check against Eagles fans.
“We have the best fans in the world. There is no place like this,” Syrianni said. “They appear and show up no matter where we are. “Brazil, Arizona, it doesn’t matter.”
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