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 9
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...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
Howie Roseman Just Went Shopping Again and It's Electric! Alright, Philly, let's talk about it! Howie's been at it again, movin' and shakin' like he's trying to win the Super Bowl in free agency. We ...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
Eagles are COOKIN' and you need to hear this! Look, I'm just gonna say it straight up: Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles front office are cooking with gas, baby! We're not rebuilding, we're n...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk about it Alright, so I’m down here by the Linc, just got a wooder ice, tryin' to process these moves from the Philadelphia Eagles, and m...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
Yo, Philly! Pull up a chair, grab a wooder, we gotta talk about these Philadelphia Eagles moves. I’m over here at Pizzeria Beddia, trying to make sense of what Howie Roseman is cookin’ up, and honestl...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
We Just Traded Sydney Brown And I Got Thoughts Alright, so the Philadelphia Eagles just pulled off a trade that has me scratching my head a bit, you know? We shipped off Sydney Brown, our young safet...
The Philadelphia Eagles just went shopping and we need to talk
Did you just see what the Philadelphia Eagles did? They’re cookin’ something up, and I’m tellin’ ya, it ain’t a cheesesteak. Signing Dameon Pierce to a one-year deal, and then Marquise Brown and Brade...
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