The year was 1933. The Great Depression had its grip on America, and Philadelphia was no exception. Factories were quiet, unemployment was high, and the city's mood was grim. It was a tough time to start any business, let alone a professional football team. But that’s exactly what happened.

The city’s previous NFL team, the Frankford Yellow Jackets, had gone bankrupt and ceased operations midway through the 1931 season. For two years, Philadelphia was without a pro football team. The franchise rights were up for sale, but finding a buyer in such a bleak economic climate was a long shot.

Enter Bert Bell and Lud Wray. Both were former football players at the University of Pennsylvania and passionate about the sport. They saw an opportunity to bring football back to their city. Pooling their resources, they purchased the dormant franchise rights of the Yellow Jackets for $2,500. It was a gamble, but one they were willing to take.

They needed a new name, a new identity to separate their team from the failed Yellow Jackets. The inspiration came from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. A key program, the National Recovery Administration (NRA), used a powerful symbol to represent its efforts to revive the economy: a blue eagle. Bell and Wray adopted this symbol of hope and resilience, naming their new team the Philadelphia Eagles.

The early years were difficult. The team struggled on the field, posting losing records for its first decade. The financial situation was often precarious. Bell, who also served as the head coach for several seasons, had to be creative to keep the team afloat, once even posting schedules in bar windows to attract fans.

Despite the team's poor performance, a fan base began to grow. The Eagles were a team Philadelphians could call their own. They played with a grit and toughness that mirrored the city's own working-class character. In an era of widespread hardship, going to a football game offered a welcome distraction, a chance to rally together and cheer for the home team. This shared experience forged a bond between the city and its new team, laying the groundwork for the passionate fan culture that defines the Eagles today.

Now, let's test your knowledge on the birth of the Eagles.

The Eagles' founding story is a testament to the resilience of a city and the passion of its people. From the depths of the Depression, a team emerged that would become an integral part of Philadelphia's identity.