What was happening last time the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl after winning the big game in 2018 over the New England Patriots for their first-ever championship. Furthermore, this year will mark the fourth time the franchise has qualified for the title game, hoping to even up their all-time record, which currently stands at 1-2.

After losing in 1980 and 2004, the Eagles finally earned a ring in Super Bowl LII when Nick Foles led the birds to an upset win over Tom Brady and the Patriots 41-33. Historically, the Eagles set a record this season with 14 wins, the first time the franchise has won that many games in the regular season. Interestingly, they enter this year’s game as slight favorites, which is unusual territory for a franchise with one championship, the least among Philadelphia’s four professional teams.

Let’s revisit some of the headlines from what was going on in 2018, the year the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts benched in the NCAA championship game

Jalen Hurts was the starting quarterback for Alabama when they qualified for the College Football Playoff National Championship. However, a sluggish start on Jan. 8, 2018, led to the Crimson Tide falling behind 13-0 to the Georgia Bulldogs at halftime.

Their backup quarterback at the time, freshman Tua Tagovailoa (now with the Miami Dolphins), came in for Hurts and sparked a comeback that resulted in an epic 26-23 overtime win. Eventually, Hurts would depart the Crimson Tide after the game for a spot in Oklahoma and end up as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa stayed in Alabama, earning a 22-2 record and moving up to become the fifth overall pick in 2020.

World mourns long list celebrities who passed away in 2018

Every year the world loses a handful of people who impacted society in one way or another. Sadly, when we look back at those who passed away in 2018, some notable names are on the list. Whether they were politicians, artists, or entertainers, many iconic figures left us.

No life means more than another. Therefore, the following names are in no particular order. The list included public figures George H.W. Bush (41st President of the United States), Barbara Bush (former First Lady), and John McCain (veteran and lifetime politician).

Additionally, the entertainment community lost icons like Stan Lee (Marvel comics creator), R. Lee Ermey (veteran and actor), Burt Reynolds (actor), Aretha Franklin (singer), and Jerry Van Dyke (actor). Furthermore, Stephen Hawking (physicist) and Avicii (DJ/music producer) also passed away.

Norway and Germany dominate PyeongChang Olympics

In February 2018, Pyeongchang, South Korea, hosted 93 nations for the Winter Olympic Games. Interestingly, a dozen storylines came out of the games, including the tensions between North and South Korea and the Russian doping scandal of 2017, which prevented them from attending the competition.

Although Russian athletes could attend and compete, they could not represent their home country. They finished in 13th place as a group with 17 medals, while Norway (39) and Germany (31) were the best teams at the event. Thanks to 23 medals, including nine gold, the United States finished fourth behind Canada.

MLB welcomes Shohei Ohtani

MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics

On Mar. 29, 2018, Shohei Ohtani made his MLB debut for the Los Angeles Angels, becoming the first player in almost a century to be listed as a starting pitcher and everyday hitter. Interestingly, he became the first player since Babe Ruth in 1919 to hit over 20 home runs and pitch at least 50 innings.

Additionally, Ohtani walked away with the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and has since won an MVP and Silver Slugger award. The two-time All-Star is set to become a free agent in 2024 and will turn the baseball world upside down when he inks a new deal as one of the game’s most unique talents.

LeBron James leaves Cleveland Cavaliers for Lakers

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers

It was a busy year to be a sports fan in Los Angeles. Not only did the Angels welcome Ohtani, but the Dodgers lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. Moreover, on the basketball court, the Lakers welcomed LeBron James to the team, hoping to win another world championship.

James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio, played with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, before departing to the Miami Heat in 2010. After winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, he returned to Cleveland and led the Cavs to a championship in 2016 before departing again for another franchise. Ultimately, it didn’t take James long to win, helping the Lakers to their record 17th NBA championship in 2020.

Sports championships in 2018

Stanley Cup champions (NHL) – Washington Capitals
World Series – Commissioner’s Trophy (MLB) – Boston Red Sox
Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy (NBA) – Golden State Warriors
NCAA Final Four (men’s basketball) – Villanova Wildcats
NCAA Final Four (women’s basketball) – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
NCAA Final Four (men’s hockey) – Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
World Cup (soccer) – France
PGA Championship (golf) – Brooks Koepka
Triple Crown (horseracing) – Justify