#FlyEaglesFly–straight to the top of the #EmpireStateBuilding! We're celebrating the @Eagles #SuperBowlLII victory with lights sparkling in the team's colors for 30 minutes, then static lights until 2AM! pic.twitter.com/NefPllG0hI
— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) February 5, 2018
They say it’s always sunny in Philadelphia. Apparently, it’s always sunny at the Empire State Building as well.
A New York City icon, the Empire State Building, which is known for the changing colors at its summit, went green for the Philadelphia Eagles’ monumental win in Super Bowl 52, commemorating the team’s first NFL championship since 1960.
This wasn’t the first time the building’s top honored the Eagles, as the skyscraper commemorated both the Eagles and New England Patriots’ victories in their respective conference championship games.
However, many New Yorkers, primarily those who support Philadelphia’s divisional rival New York Giants, were not pleased with the honor.
As of tonight. I am not recognizing the Empire State Building as a NY landmark. What building in Philly lit up when the Giants won the Super Bowl? (4 times) https://t.co/3QpLW24671
— Giancarlo Judge (@Petakiss) February 5, 2018
What the hell is this? https://t.co/DFGRkr3JZ6
— Dave Rothenberg (@RothenbergESPN) January 22, 2018
WOW FOR REAL?? https://t.co/zlyVkZybTB
— THE KID MERO ?? (@THEKIDMERO) February 5, 2018
Even fans of New York’s other football squad, the New York Jets, who saw the division-rival Patriots fall in Sunday’s historic showdown, were upset with the skyscraper’s tribute.
Terrible just terrible. Ok they won but Empire State Building should only be green if the #Jets win the #Super Bowl
— John Huhn (@J_Huhn88) February 5, 2018
The only green the Empire State Building should be #Jets green. https://t.co/dJIVyvzUhi
— Melvin Mason (@MelvinLMason) February 5, 2018
Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building has been an everlasting symbol of New York City, and its top-floor searchlights have honored countless events in the social and political landscape. New York governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first to be honored by the lights, prompted by his landslide victory in the 1932 presidential election over incumbent Herbert Hoover.
Since then, the top of the building has honored many athletic causes, including those by the Giants, as the building turned blue to celebrate their Super Bowl runs in 2008 and 2012. Tight end Jake Ballard was invited to flip the switch to the lights in the latter championship trek prior to team’s first playoff game.
Other New York teams, such as the Knicks and Rangers, have also had their postseason triumphs honored at the building. Just last season, the skyscraper honored the Rangers’ conference quarterfinal victory over the Montreal Canadiens with a colorful synching to the team’s goal song.
The @EmpireStateBldg's world-famous tower lights celebrate the #Blueshirts series win!! ?⚪️?⚪️? pic.twitter.com/Jl9q7oemAs
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 23, 2017
The past has proven, however, that the building’s lights are not exclusive to local heroes, as the Super Bowl winner has regularly been saluted at the building in the past. The Patriots were indeed honored last season, as their 34-28 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons was toasted last season.
The city also continues to acknowledge the winner of presidential elections. For example, the summit turned a bright shade of blue when Democrat Barack Obama was reelected over Mitt Romney in 2012, while an elaborate light show kept track of Donald Trump’s electoral victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
For the latest on the Empire State Building’s light schedule, visit the lighting calendar on their website here.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffMags5490
