PHILADELPHIA — Massive Charlie’s Saloon in South Philadelphia looks as if an ideal watering gap for watching the Tremendous Bowl on Sunday. It’s anticipated to be packed, however not with Eagles followers. It’s a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs bar in a passionate however parochial sports activities city that doesn’t precisely roll out the crimson carpet for followers of different N.F.L. groups.
“We’re in a pickle,” mentioned Laura Sessa, the supervisor.
Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be a difficulty. There is no such thing as a tense rivalry between the groups. Teaching and household ties bind them.
Andy Reid, the affable Kansas Metropolis coach, led the Eagles for 14 seasons and took Philadelphia to the Tremendous Bowl. Travis Kelce, Kansas Metropolis’s gregarious tight finish, is the brother of Eagles heart Jason. Their mom, Donna, has been recognized to put on a personalized jersey that mashes up colours representing each groups.
If an Eagles fan wanders into Massive Charlie’s on any given Sunday, it’s no massive deal. However the Tremendous Bowl received’t be any given Sunday.
“It’s slightly difficult now,” mentioned Sessa, 54.
A bench is painted in Kansas Metropolis colours outdoors Massive Charlie’s. A group flag flies on Sundays. Inside, the place is filled with helmets, mugs, autographed footballs, even an Emmy Award from a characteristic that N.F.L. Movies did on the bar. There’s additionally a signed jersey from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a reproduction of the Lombardi Trophy from the Tremendous Bowl that ended the 2019 season.
For that Tremendous Bowl, Massive Charlie’s threw a block get together full with a disc jockey and fireworks as Kansas Metropolis defeated San Francisco, 31-20. This 12 months, the watch get together might be extra subdued as an indication of municipal respect; it is going to be held totally contained in the bar — an island of crimson in a sea of inexperienced.
“I don’t wish to instigate something,” mentioned Paul Staico, 57, the proprietor of Massive Charlie’s. “This metropolis is hard.”
To date, there has solely been good-natured ribbing from Eagles followers.
“The mailman heckles us,” mentioned John Alessi, 56, a Kansas Metropolis fan.
It has been urged that carrying the jersey of an opposing group in Philadelphia is akin to placing an indication in your again that claims, “Hit me.” In 1983, Eagles followers infamously plucked the feathers from the headdress of Washington’s unofficial mascot on the time, tore off his costume like drunken tailors, ditched his rubber spear and gave him a pugilistic send-off that required hospitalization.
However these had been the loony days of long-gone Veterans Stadium. Certain, there’s nonetheless the occasional and regrettable punching of a police horse (2018) and greater than occasional taunting that showers visiting followers like vulgar confetti. However Eagles followers are usually higher behaved as of late.
Forward of final weekend’s N.F.C. championship recreation, one 49ers fan was seen on video climbing onto the Rocky Balboa statue outdoors the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork, and he appeared to outlive the locals with none sudden dental payments or orthopedic realignments.
However nonetheless.
“A Chiefs bar?” mentioned Kevin Meyers, 37, an Eagles fan. “How do they exist?”
Most likely as a result of the proprietor and his common patrons usually are not outsiders. They’re principally guys from the neighborhood. Massive Charlie’s is their nook bar. The Kansas Metropolis allegiance started throughout Tremendous Bowl IV in 1970, when Massive Charlie himself, Charlie Staico, positioned a profitable, if not strictly authorized, guess on the group.
“The Chiefs received, and the following day I had a motorcycle,” mentioned Paul Staico, Massive Charlie’s son, who recollects marveling on the group’s crimson helmets and arrowhead emblem, now tattooed on his arm. “I used to be a fan ever since.”
Charlie Staico handed away in 1983. Finally, Paul remade the bar right into a Kansas Metropolis shrine.
Don’t misunderstand. That is nonetheless a Philly hangout. Logos of the Flyers and Phillies are inlaid into the aspect of the brick constructing. The place was packed for the current World Collection. However for professional soccer, the house group shouldn’t be the popular group.
Paul Staico’s ardour unfold to his pals, plenty of whom have been transformed. Phrase has unfold past Philadelphia, and Kansas Metropolis followers would possibly drop in on Sundays from New York, Baltimore, Texas and California — and, after all, Kansas Metropolis — as the gang typically swells to 150 supporters.
“It’s a household factor, it’s our factor,” mentioned Michael Puggi, 48. “It’s an Eagles metropolis, however that is our nook.”
Anthony Scola, 62, a retired carpenter, constructed the bench outdoors the saloon.
“The ambiance on this bar when the Chiefs play, you don’t care in regards to the Eagles anymore,” Scola mentioned. “I would put on inexperienced underwear, however I’m watching Kansas Metropolis.”
Tickets might be required to enter Massive Charlie’s on Tremendous Bowl Sunday. The overwhelming majority will go to common prospects. Kansas Metropolis followers. There may very well be a sprinkling of Eagles followers, pals from the neighborhood, however nobody is predicted to point out disrespect by carrying seen Eagles’ colours.
Some patrons will certainly really feel conflicting allegiances.
“I’m the largest Eagles fan round, however that is my household,” Patrick Newcomb, 55, mentioned of his bar mates, reciting the lyrics of that famous soccer ballad from 1976 by Mary MacGregor: “Torn between two lovers, feeling like a idiot, loving each of you is breaking all the foundations.’’
Others can have no tortured loyalties. Alessi, a Kansas Metropolis fan for 30 years, mentioned he didn’t attend the Eagles’ victory parade after their 2018 Tremendous Bowl win over New England. His spouse and daughter went, he mentioned with amusing, and “they nearly needed to name a locksmith to get again in my home.”
Within the two-week lead-up to this Tremendous Bowl, Alessi added, “We’re not speaking.”