Philadelphia Eagles fans have long had a reputation around the NFL, and visiting teams like the San Francisco 49ers consider Lincoln Financial Field one of the most challenging road environments in the league.
But 49ers tight end George Kittle wouldn't have it any other way.
Kittle said Thursday that he appreciates the passion of Eagles fans and even admires the effort they put into getting under the skin of opposing teams.
"The one thing that's really unique about Philly is that they don't really—I mean, maybe like a division rival's different—but any other road team that comes in there, they hate all of us equally," Kittle said. "And I just appreciate that. It's incredibly loud, they flip you off, they moon you on your bus ride in—but they do that to anybody.
"It doesn't matter if you're the Niners, it doesn't matter if you're the Jacksonville Jaguars. It doesn't matter. They just give you that, no matter what, and I appreciate that because you can tell how much they love their team."
Kittle acknowledged he has heard plenty of stories about opposing fans enduring abuse while wearing visiting team gear in Philadelphia. Still, he noted that one of his best friends from high school once attended a game wearing Kittle's jersey and didn't have any issues.
As for Sunday, Kittle said he's looking forward to seeing what Eagles fans have in store for the 49ers as the team arrives by bus.
"I just thoroughly enjoy it because it's so unique every single time," Kittle shared. "I'll never forget my rookie season, the year they won the Super Bowl. We're pulling in, it's my first time playing in The Linc, and there were like four 10-year-old kids holding a seven-foot-tall paper-mâché middle finger that had like a rotating thing on it, and it made the middle finger come up.
"And I was like, that was the coolest thing. I'll never forget it. It was my rookie year, and I was like, 'Oh, this is excellent.' That was pretty good."
Eagles fans are expected to bring their full intensity on Sunday in a win-or-go-home NFC Wild Card matchup, with a spot in the Divisional Round on the line.