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Panic in Philly: Eagles fans swarm streets, attack cops chanting 'f**k the Chiefs' after dramatic Superbowl defeat

Police made multiple arrests since 10.30 pm local time as citizens were seen climbing lamp posts and hurling glass bottles

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia Eagles' fans swarmed the streets of the City of Brotherly Love following their narrow Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. There were signs of unrest shortly after the team's 38-35 loss Sunday night, February 12, with fans gathering at City Hall and clashing with law enforcement that had been deployed throughout the city.

Police made multiple arrests since 10.30 pm local time as citizens were seen climbing lampposts and chanting "F*** the Chiefs" and hurling glass bottles throughout the city's Downtown neighborhood. Videos making the rounds on social media showed several residents setting off fireworks while others egged on armed SWAT teams that had been stationed to maintain law and order.

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Tear gas and smoke bombs

A viral clip showed a group of people lighting fireworks, with some reports indicating the explosives were thrown at officers. Police used tear gas and smoke bombs to deter any further chaos following a crushing defeat that was highlighted by game-changing penalties. According to the Daily Mail, the loss was compounded after the city's baseball team, the Phillies, crashed out of the World Series just a couple of months ago.

Diehard fans began partying prematurely on the streets while the Eagles were still ahead, but a controversial holding call late into the game paved the way for the Chiefs’ final field goal that earned them their third Super Bowl title. Subsequent footage showed people throwing punches at each other, while some were filmed attempting to overrun areas being watched by police. 

Outpouring of frustration

Thousands of people were seen in clips chanting brazen profanities and rushing officers in some cases. Other snippets circulating on social media showed officers making arrests. According to the Mail, police scanners along with videos from the scenes suggested multiple officers had been assaulted amid the collective outpouring of frustration.

Many revellers were seen scaling bus shelters and climbing up lamp posts. The majority, however, chose to remain peaceful, with some banging drums and engaging in pro-Eagles chants instead of adding to the unrest. However, there have been no reports of shots fired as of early Tuesday morning, February 14. Crowds were believed to have started dispersing around midnight.

The Philadelphia Police Department has not issued a statement or declared a state of emergency despite reports of wild processions. Many are hoping the consequences are not as pronounced as those following the Phillies' loss to the Houston Astros in November, which saw a shooting that left nine wounded, among whom five were critically injured. 

City Planner Todd Sartini promised this week that any potential riot situation would be quelled before it got out of hand. "Whether the fans desecrate city property to celebrate or to grieve the Eagles' fates, my fellow municipal employees and I are prepared for the worst," Sartini said in a statement, as quoted by the Daily Mail. "We have shatter-resistant windows in most of our buildings now so I'm not too concerned. I might even look outside and watch those crazy kids get their skulls bashed in by our wonderful boys in blue." The city planner added, "I don't pay much attention to sports, punks, or police officers, but I hope everyone has fun," he added.