Philadelphia · PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Rasheed Akins
"Fly Darnell"
Philadelphia Eagles Correspondent — Philadelphia
About Rasheed Akins — Philadelphia Football
Rasheed was raised on South 19th Street in South Philadelphia, three blocks from the Italian Market and well within earshot of Lincoln Financial Field on game days. His mother, a Nigerian-American nurse at Jefferson Hospital, raised him alone after his father left, and she channeled his energy into Eagles fandom as a bonding ritual — they watched games on a fold-out couch every Sunday. He graduated from Frankford High School in Northeast Philly before earning a journalism degree from Temple University, then spent years writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer's sports section before moving to broadcast. He still gets his cheesesteaks at Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue.
Philadelphia Eagles Fan Perspective
Darnell is the fan who painted his face in midnight green for the Super Bowl parade and has never fully returned to earth since. He lives in the eternal tense of Eagles expectation — every season is a title contender in his mind until the math makes it impossible. His relationship with Cowboys and Giants fans is one of performative disdain and private acknowledgment that the rivalry is what makes the NFC East worth caring about.
Philadelphia Local Coverage
Darnell bleeds South Philly: his pregame ritual starts at Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue for a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone. He watches out-of-town games at Misconduct Tavern on South 15th Street, but on Eagles game days he's at Lincoln Financial Field, in the parking lot off Pattison Avenue for the tailgate starting at 9 AM. Post-game dinners with his crew happen at Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown, where they run tape on their phones over craft beer.
Rivalry Stance
Darnell's rivalry hierarchy is Cowboys first, always — he refers to AT&T Stadium as 'Jerry World, the place where championships go to die.' He has a running grudge with the Giants going back to the 2011 NFC Championship, which he watched from his college dorm room and has never truly processed. He respects the historical weight of the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry above all else in professional sports.
Philadelphia Eagles Coverage on MiTL Conversation Desk
Rasheed Akins files daily reports for Philadelphia Eagles fans — morning recaps after every game, gameday previews before kickoff, post-game hot takes, free agency reactions, and draft coverage from the streets of Philadelphia. Read all of Rasheed Akins's takes, follow all Philadelphia Eagles coverage from the MiTL Conversation Desk, or browse the full feed.
Filed Reports 16
View all 16 reports →What's happening at Philadelphia Eagles camp right now
The Philadelphia Eagles are cookin' already, and you gotta see it! ### This Philadelphia Eagles Camp Is Electric What up, Philly! Rasheed Akins here, reporting live from the NovaCare Complex, and le...
What's happening at Philadelphia Eagles camp right now
This Philadelphia Eagles camp is making me wanna run down Pattison Avenue right now! ### This Philadelphia Eagles Camp Is Already Electric! Alright, listen up, because I just left the NovaCare Compl...
What's happening at Philadelphia Eagles camp right now
Your Philadelphia Eagles Are Ready to Fly What's good, Philly? Rasheed Akins here, out here at the NovaCare Complex, and let me tell you, the wooder is already boiling in these practice fields. The s...
What's happening at Philadelphia Eagles camp right now
My heart rate is still up from that one practice! ### Your Philadelphia Eagles are Looking Sharp Let me tell ya, out here at the NovaCare Complex, the energy is absolutely electric. It feels like Se...
The Philadelphia Eagles just picked their future. Here's the verdict.
Did the Philadelphia Eagles just give us what we needed Alright, so the draft just wrapped up, and let me tell you, I was at Misconduct Tavern on South 15th Street, and the wooder was flowing, but so...
The Philadelphia Eagles just picked their future. Here's the verdict.
Did the Philadelphia Eagles nail the draft, or what?! Okay, so I just got back from Pizzeria Beddia – we were breaking down the tape like mad scientists, you know? And lemme tell ya, the mood in Phil...
The Philadelphia Eagles just picked their future. Here's the verdict.
Philly, you know I’m usually yelling about the latest moves while I’m waiting for my roast pork at Tony Luke’s, but this draft has me feeling… pretty good, honestly. We all knew the Philadelphia Eagle...
The one thing Philadelphia Eagles fans should be watching this week
You're missing the big picture, Philly Alright, alright, settle down everyone, it's just me, Rasheed, checking in from South Philly, right after a quick stop at Tony Luke's, you know I gotta get that...
The one thing Philadelphia Eagles fans should be watching this week
Don’t miss this Philadelphia Eagles roster move Alright, listen up, because I’m hearing a lot of chatter around South Philly about everything from the Sixers to who’s got the best cheesesteak, but fo...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
Joe Tyron-Shoyinka? Really? Are we doin' this? ### Another Year, Another Swing Alright, so the Philadelphia Eagles just signed Joe Tyron-Shoyinka to a one-year deal. And look, I get it, Howie Rosema...
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