Following Sunday’s NFL games, which resulted in the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles punching their tickets to Super Bowl 59, New York Giants and Jets fans got a stark reminder of what could have been as the Empire State Building lit up red and green for the NFC and AFC champions.
Much to the chagrin of New Yorkers, the Empire State Building’s X account shared a post on Sunday evening saying, ‘I’m sorry I have to do this. Shining in @Eagles colors in honor of their NFC Championship win.’
The Chiefs and Eagles will face off on Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. In response to the Empire State Building’s post, the Eagles’ X account said, ‘Green looks good on you Empire State Building.’
The Eagles will return to the Super Bowl only two years after losing to the Chiefs 38-35 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The New York landmark lit up green before in 2023, when the Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 to win the NFC Championship.
The last time the Giants appeared in the big game was in 2012, when the Eli Manning-led team defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 21-17. It’s been a longer drought for the Jets, as they have not appeared in a Super Bowl since 1969 when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath and company defeated the Baltimore Colts, now known as the Indianapolis Colts, 16-7.
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Nevertheless, New Yorkers, including city officials, can’t fathom that they have to witness the Eagles compete for a Super Bowl as their teams’ championship hopes remain dormant. To make matters worse, one of the Giants’ former star players, running back Saquon Barkley, left the team to join the Eagles this past offseason.
New York City DOB ‘being immediately dispatched’ to Empire State Building
In response to the Empire State Building’s social media post, the New York City Department of Buildings’ X account said, ‘DOB inspectors are being immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate whatever the (expletive) this is…’
While the city government office appears to be joking, many New Yorkers are not as they made their feelings known on X. In a 2-minute video, comedian Michael Rapaport said New York City should have shown its respect to the Philidelphia Eagles ‘by being completely disrespectful.’
‘They can’t wait for the Jets forever’
As New Yorkers continue to be infuriated, other social media users are poking fun at the Empire State Building’s green and red light show.