The third and final day of Fanatics Fest in New York started off with a bang as several former and current Eagles players took the stage for a special panel. “The Champs Are Here” was hosted by Ryan Clark as he was joined by Cooper DeJean, Brandon Graham, Nick Foles, Brian Dawkins and legendary college basketball coach (and well known Eagles fan) Dawn Staley.

Eagles fans showered former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark with boos as he attempted to get things started. Clark joked that he didn’t understand why the panel wasn’t being hosted by a former Eagles player instead, yet he handled the boos like a professional.

Clark asked each Eagles player asked about their experiences in Philadelphia. Dawkins set the tone for the responses by talking about his growth and ability to win fans over in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Hall of Fame safety admitted that Eagles fans “loved hard” and would let the players hear it whether they were doing good or bad. Yet that didn’t bother Dawkins, as he stated that no fan could have higher expectations for him than he already had for himself.

“They’re not supposed to cheer for me,” Dawkins said. “I’m supposed to give them something to cheer about!”

As we all know, Dawkins certainly gave Eagles fans plenty of things to cheer about. Another player that gave Philadelphia’s fans plenty to cheer about was the first quarterback to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory, Nick Foles.

Foles discussed how important his first tenure with the team was for his ability to be able to succeed during his return in 2017.

“I was stepping into a huddle with guys that I had recognized,” Foles said. “I had already been on the battlefield with. We had already won games before. I knew I just had to get up to speed.”

It was clear that Foles got up to speed rather quickly as he led the Eagles to a monumental victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. But Foles also praised the people in Philadelphia’s locker room during that season.

“I’m a firm believer that without the type of locker room and the guys like BG we had, Dawk was there too. I don’t know if it’s possible.”

It’s clear that culture was a key component of Philadelphia’s success in 2017 and that remained true last season as well. Clark asked Graham about Philadelphia’s 2-2 start to the regular season and how the Eagles were able to turn things around during the bye week.

“If you want to have a good team, it’s about how you respond and I think it started from the top,” Graham said.

“Hearing Nick (Sirianni) staying consistent with his message. Not getting too high or too low during those low times. And just saying ‘hey, we’re going to weather the storm. I’m here until they let me go, let’s keep working.’”

While many have questioned what Sirianni actually does as head coach of the Eagles given the team’s stacked roster and his lack of play-calling duties. Yet it’s clear that Graham gives a ton of credit to Sirianni for the team being able to turn things around and win Super Bowl LIX.

“It started with Nick. It was more of his leadership,” Graham said. “And then it just trickled down, that trickle down effect.”

One of the most memorable moments from Philadelphia’s victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX was DeJean’s pick six against Patrick Mahomes. Clark asked DeJean to reflect on his big play against one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

“It was probably the best moment of my football career,” DeJean said. But the second-year cornerback was quick to give credit to Philadelphia’s entire defense for his pick six.

“Every time I watch that play, it just shows how well our defense worked together, just like it has all year. Everyone in the right spot, playing off of each other, freelancing a little bit.”

After praising his teammates about their involvement in the biggest moment of his playing career, DeJean showed that he is still human as well.

“Every time that play pops up on my phone, I watch it,” DeJean said. “I still get goosebumps.”

DeJean likely isn’t the only one that gets goosebumps when they rewatch that play. While this panel offered a glimpse inside the minds of Eagles players, it also proved just how special the fans are in Philadelphia.

This entire weekend at the Fanatics Fest has proved just how memorable it is to play for (or against) the Eagles in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia’s fans truly bleed green and playing in front of them can leave a lifelong impact that they aren’t even aware of.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Brian Dawkins speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)