Philadelphia Eagles Logo: History, Symbol & Evolution

History, Evolution and Everything Designers Needs to Know About Eagles Logo

Are you looking for inspiration to develop a cutting-edge logo? Take a look at the NFL’s leading franchise Philadelphia Eagles logo. The Pennsylvania-based professional football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was founded in 1933.

The team is well-known in the National Football League and has won three NFL championships since 1948. The Eagles have a massive fan base in Philadelphia city and eastern Pennsylvania.
However, you might not know that the franchise has its roots in the early 20th century’s lesser-known football club, the Frankford Yellow Jackets.

1- Logo History and Meaning of Philadelphia Eagles Logo

The professional American football teams modified their logos several times to get the existing one. Its visual identity concept has been constant in the history of American football.

The logo was built around the image of an eagle and a football. You might find it either in a green or blue color palette. These are also the essential factors many logo design services consider while working on design projects.

Take a look at Philadelphia Eagles logo history and see how the Eagles logo has evolved over the years and achieved the perfect design.

1.1- 1933 – 1935

The original version of the Philadelphia Eagles logo was launched in 1933. The designer opted for a traditional approach and incorporated a lot of details into it. You can see the eagle holding a football in the design.

It looks realistic despite the choice of color. No doubt, the image of a bird flying with its wings spread looks elegant and powerful. The blue color also goes well with the logo design.

1.2- 1936 – 1941

The fans saw a drastic change in the Philadelphia Eagles logo between 1936 to 1941 when the franchise changed the color from blue to green. On the other hand, the eagle’s contours were also redrawn.

If you look at the logo, you will see the bird is flying upright. Did you notice how the bird’s wings and neck are stretched as well? This variety featured the enlarged and rounded ball in comparison to the old Philadelphia Eagles logo.

1.3- 1942 – 1947

The logo went through a modification phase once again in 1942. This version was modernized with refined contours. The color was kept solid green with a few white details.

You can also see the bold eagle silhouette holding the ball, looking down while its wings were kept spread up to each side.

1.4- 1948 – 1968

In 1948, the Philadelphia Eagles logo was redesigned and received more details and white accents. The football was kept white. Moreover, the bird’s contours looked more realistic in this emblem compared to other sports logos.

1.5- 1969 – 1972

Most of the focus was kept on the contours when the franchise decided to redesign the logo in 1969. Despite the similar color palette, the image started to look different from other versions of the Eagles logo.

1.6- 1973 – 1986

The emblem launched in 1973 was nothing like the franchise’s previous NFL logos. The Philadelphia Eagles logo was revamped from scratch.

The franchise opted for an image of a bold and green helmet. The details include a delicate gray wing on the side, which was outlined in white.

1.7- 1987 – 1995

In the modification of 1987, orange and brown colors were used for the bird and football beak. Apart from the new addition to the color palette, the eagle’s direction was also changed and kept to the left side.

1.8- 1996 – Present

Philadelphia Eagles logo received a new style and color palette in 1996 to develop the Philadelphia Eagles official logo. The franchise still uses the sleek and modern design, just like the Chicago Bears logo.

The new design of the Philadelphia Eagles logo features the eagle’s head facing the left side. The gradient white and gray, thick double outline in black and blue colors complete the bird’s head. The sharp and bold lines also make the bird look determined.

2- Elements of Eagles Logo

The elements of the logo also help determine the success of the design. Here are essential details about the elements of the Eagles logo.

2.1- Font of Philadelphia Eagles Logo

Philadelphia Eagles font is unique with sharp ends in the letter “E” and “S”, which resemble the eagle’s claws. All letters in the typeface are kept capital.

2.2- Color of Philadelphia Eagles Logo

Philadelphia Eagles colors include silver, white, green (Kelley green and darker green shade) for several decades.

3- History of Philadelphia Eagles Franchise

3.1- 1931 – 1960

As mentioned above, the Frankford Yellow Jackets went bankrupt and halted operations. The NFL offered the franchise to a syndicate led by Lud Wray and Bert Bell. The new owners named the franchise Philadelphia Eagles.

However, neither the Eagles nor the NFL officially considered the two franchises as one. There weren’t Yellow Jackets players in the first roster of the Eagles. On the other hand, the Eagles, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Steelers became the NFL part as expansion teams.

The Eagles moved to Shibe Park in 1940 and played their home games there till 1956. But the season of 1941 was held at Municipal Stadium. The first decade wasn’t easy for the Eagles. The team faced defeats until it merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles became Phil-Pitt Eagles and known as “Steagles”.

Moreover, the team played three NFL Championship Games winning two of them in 1948 and 1949. Thanks to the head coach Earle “Greasy” Neale. These wins marked the Eagles as the champions as they won back-to-back matches, defeating Chicago Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams.

The Eagles moved to Franklin Field stadium after the season of 1957. The stadium could seat over 60,000 Eagles, and it was the first NFL stadium to get artificial turf in 1969. It was also the decade when the Eagles won their third NFL championship and became the only team that defeated Vince Lombardi and his Packers in the playoffs.

3.2- 1961 – 1984

The 1961 season turned out to be excellent for the Eagles, but hard times fell on them in 1962. On the other hand, Jerry Wolman sold the franchise in 1963 to a group of investors who owned the franchise from 1949 to 1963.

Leonard Tose bought the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969 from Wolman and hired Jerry Williams as the new coach. The NFL was merged with AFL in 1970 and was placed with NFC East Division with its archrivals such as Washington, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants.

Moreover, Dick Vermeil was hired in 1976 from UCLA to coach the Eagles. Head coach Dick Vermeil and Quarterback Ron Jaworski headed the team, and they secured four consecutive playoff appearances. The team won the first NFC East title in 1980, but the Eagles lost to Oakland in the Super Bowl in 1981.

3.3- 1985 – 1993

Leonard Tose sold the Eagles to Norman Braman and Ed Leibowitz in 1985. The team struggled in the years of Marion Campbell. With head coach Buddy Ryan’s arrival in 1986, the Eagles got back on the track and performed – thanks to the head coach’s fiery attitude that ignited the fan base as well.

However, Ryan was fired because the team failed to win a playoff game during his tenure. After Ryan, Rich Kotite was promoted as the head coach in 1992 and led the Eagles to one playoff victory against the New Orleans Saints. Kotite’s contract wasn’t renewed after the disappointing defeat in the 1994 season.

The Eagles qualified for the playoffs in six seasons, but they won the NFC East only once in 1988.

4- Eagles Trademark Name, Logo, and Slogan

The franchise received its first trademark registrations for the name “Philadelphia Eagles” and the captivating logo featuring an Eagle. The approval for trademarks was applied for February 28, 1975, and USPTO registered them on June 15, 1976.

The Eagle fans were delighted to know that the franchise has applied for the team’s slogans’ trademarks. The team uses slogans such as “Eagles Everywhere” and “Fly Eagles Fly”.

Moreover, after winning the Super Bowl in 2018, the team again filed for the “Philly Special”. It was also the name that the Eagles used in their first Super Bowl win in history.

5- Wallpapers and Wall Decals for Philadelphia Eagles Fans

There’s no denying that football enthusiasts love wearing shirts or caps to support their favorite football teams.

Apart from clothing items or other accessories, you can get Philadelphia Eagles wall decals and wallpapers. These wall decals are officially licensed and easy to find.

With the help of fascinating wall art, you can get an opportunity to showcase your admiration to the Eagles.

6- What Does the Current Philadelphia Eagles Logo Symbolize?

The current logo design combination of a cartoon eagle featuring realistic strokes. It looks inspirational and rousing, just like the modern LA Rams logo.

The eagle also symbolizes the spirit and ingenuity of the football team. The overall design of the logo is appealing and has a meaning associated with its elements.

For example, the bald head of the eagle has been highlighted in light and dark blue shades. The use of white color is also wise as it plays an essential role in defining the facial area.

The color palette is soothing to the eyes, but the hues of whites and blue represent the team’s confidence and integrity.

7- Interesting Facts about Philadelphia Eagles

7.1- The U.S. President’s Deal Inspired the Franchise’s Name

Have you ever wondered why the franchise was named “Philadelphia Eagles”? The franchise owned by league veteran Lud Wray and businessman Bert Bell played its first game in 1933.

Franklin Roosevelt created the National Recovery Administration. Its symbol featured a blue-colored eagle holding a gear and three bolts of lightning. And that became an inspiration for Wray and Bell to name their team “The Philadelphia Eagles.”

7.2- Worst Team Was Made Priority

Conducting the NFL draft was Bell’s idea to practice fairness in the NFL’s talent recruitment system. The worst team got a chance to choose first for the NFL season.

7.3- Eagles Played in the First-Ever Televised NFL Game

The team has played in the NFL game that was televised as well. In 1939, the Eagles lost to the Brooklyn Football Dodgers. NBC’s eight-men crew filmed the match.

The game was telecasted on New York City’s affiliated networks. Around 500 New Yorkers watched the game aired for two hours and 33 minutes without any commercial interruptions.

7.4- Eagles and Steelers Were Merged due to World War II

World War II contributed to a massive player shortage. On the other hand, professional footballers chose to leave their teams and fight overseas.
It was feared that the clubs: The Eagles and Steelers would shut down, but they merged.

7.5- Icon Buren’s and Multiple Thousand-yard Seasons

Philly icon Steve Van Buren ran for 1008 and 1146 yards in 1947 and 1949, respectively. He was the only Football Hall of Famer who belonged to Honduras.

7.6- President John F. Kennedy and Brothers Wanted to Buy the Franchise

Did you know President John F. Kennedy and his brothers thought about purchasing the franchise?

As former senator Ted Kennedy said,

“My brother Jack called me and said, ‘Are you in for a third if we can get [the Eagles] for $6 million? I’ve talked to Bobby, and he says he’ll go for it.’ I said, ‘Okay, I’ll go for a third.”

The deal was not materialized as the Kennedys were convinced that owning the franchise may not go well with Jack’s responsibilities as president of the country.

7.7- Fans Once Saw the Game for Free

Once a heavy blizzard smothered the stadium, Shibe Park, where the eagles were about to play. Fans were told that if they brought a shovel and helped clear the field, they would see the game for free.

7.8- Eagles Once Defeated Vince Lombardi

The Eagles also have the honor to beat Vince Lombardi’s Packers in the playoffs by the final score of 17-13.

7.9- 54K Fans Watched the Game Despite Blizzard

In 1968, 54,535 fans reached Philly’s Franklin Field despite the blizzard to watch the game. To create hype, the owners booked a Santa Claus impersonator to entertain the audience at halftime.

The actor never arrived. But one of the attendees, Frank Olivo, wore a homemade Santa suit and performed. However, the fans hurled snowballs at him, which Olivo enjoyed.

7.10- Eagles and “The Fog Bowl”

In 1988, the Eagles lost the game on New Year’s Eve, known as “The Fog Bowl” in history. The visibility was terrible, and the players could not see correctly.

7.11- Fans Got a Chance to See Sylvester Stallone at Lincoln Financial fields

Like you, Sylvester Stallone is also crazy about Philadelphia Eagles and has made an appearance at Lincoln Financial.

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7.12- Philly’s Strange Home Jersey’s Colors

Have you noticed the strange color the Eagles players wear on their home jerseys and wonder what it is called? It is called “Midnight green”. This color is quite unique and shows the diversity of the team in a perfect manner.

7.13- Hidden Letter in the Eagles Logo

The current eagle-head logo design was launched in 1996. This variety of Philadelphia Eagles logo faces the left because it has the letter “E” hidden in the neck feathers.

7.14- When Fans Were Denied Celebrating Philly’s Win

Philadelphia city workers tried greasing streetlight poles in 2017 after the team defeated Atlanta in the divisional round. The reason for greasing the streetlight poles was to prevent over-excited fans from celebrating on them.

7.15- Original Eagles Anthem Lyrics

You might recite the current Eagles anthem, “Fly, Eagles Fly”. But you might not know that the lyrics of the anthem have been changed over the years. The original anthem was “Fight, Eagles Fight”, written by Charles Borreli and Roger Courland in the 1950s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summing it Up!

When it comes to taking inspiration to develop a unique yet compelling logo, you can look and observe the Philadelphia Eagles logo. The designers have done great work in designing the logo representing the determination and dedication of a football team.

Choosing the eagle is also the best idea to demonstrate the strength of the team. Moreover, the color palette goes well with the overall design of the logo. Observing these factors can allow you to incorporate elements in your logo that help showcase your brand message.

Developing a logo can be a challenging task. It needs brainstorming, research, and lots of creativity to design the innovative logo. At Logo Poppin, we are ready to take you onboard, discuss and develop the type of logo you have been looking for.

Logopoppin

Logopoppin is a graphic design agency that specializes in logo designing, web development, video production and advanced branding services. We love to innovate businesses with new age technologies, allowing them to improve their visual reputation.

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