I will forever hate Ronde Barber

My least favorite athlete of all time? Ronde Barber.

I was eight going on nine as I watched him run the length of the field at Veterans Stadium in January 2003, the dynamite that blew up the Eagles’ last magical game at their infamously decrepit home. I was at an impressionable age, still not fully aware of the constant heartbreak that came with being an Eagles fan. Equal blame can go to Joe Jurevicius, but it was Barber’s pick 6 that was the nail in the Vet’s coffin.

As the Eagles stumble their way to the end of one of the most infuriating seasons of my lifetime, the last person I needed to see was Barber. So who did I see on my TV this past Sunday? You guessed it. “Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist” Ronde Barber. That’s what happens when your team sucks. Boring teams get stuck with the announcing crew of Barber and Kenny Albert. The Eagles both suck and are boring, so I had to listen to Barber call Carson Wentz “Carson Palmer” for three-and-a-half hours.

I’m embarrassed. The 2011, 2012 and 2015 Eagles teams were more embarrassing overall, but at 25 years old, the loss in Miami to the Dolphins was the single most embarrassing game I can recall, only made worse by having to look at Barber’s smug grin. This is a maddeningly inconsistent roster that aged over night and also has a dearth of young talent. Things may get worse before they get better, yet somehow, someway, they could still win the division. Why do we this to ourselves? I’m going insane.

In the latest episode of From the Bleachers, I discuss Ronde, the debacle on South Beach and where the Birds go from here. I appreciate everyone who listens to the pod throughout a turbulent season and I hope I can put into words some of the frustration you all are feeling.

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Don’t forget to check out our BGN Watch Party at Pistola Del Sur in South Philly on Sunday, December 15 too! Great food, great drinks and free BGN t-shirts as we watch the Eagles give us false hope for the umpteenth time. See you there!