What is the relationship between football and the fans?

The following vignettes were compiled by John Baer, Ed Barkowitz, Les Bowen, Paul Domowitch, Marcus Hayes, Phil Jasner, Dick Jerardi, Mike Kern, Mark Kram, Catherine Lucey, Nate Mink and Daily News staff:

Mayor Nutter: "Philadelphia fans love the Eagles. The Eagles probably have the most vocal fans of any of the various [local] teams and possibly in the entire NFL. Folks are crazy about the Eagles. They're, of course, one of the great football franchises. Their cheer is almost at battle-cry level. I'm a lifelong Philadelphian. I've been watching the Eagles, went to games when they were still playing at Franklin Field. I've enjoyed it the whole time.

Gov. Rendell: "I think there was a feeling in the '90s that we were a football town. But with the emergence of the Phillies and [100-plus] straight sellouts, it became clear that we're more a great sports town. The relationship between our teams and our fans is incredible: the love, concern and fever for the Eagles, and not just in the city but the eastern half of the state. But the theory that we're a football town is wrong. We're just a great sports town with knowledgeable, fervent fans."