Following a hard-fought 15-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs that nobody gave the Philadelphia Eagles a shot to win, defensive end Chris Long and right tackle Lane Johnson took the "underdog" title literally by rocking dog masks on the field and in the locker room. The gesture seems to have become a symbol of the Eagles' playoff run, so much so that fans will be permitted to wear the creepy masks to the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
The only rule: you have to take it off to enter the stadium. Hopefully, fans take that into account as they're trying to shotgun beers with masks on during the pregame parking lot tailgate.Â
If football fans thought the Vikings' SKOL chant was intimidating, wait until they see Lincoln Financial Field turn into a kennel of German Shepherds on Sunday night. According to ESPN, the canine masks have sold out on Amazon and around 500 masks have been sold since Saturday, with the demand remaining very high leading up the the big game. The demand has even caused the retail price to skyrocket from a sensible $16 to a slightly insane $39.99 for the rubber masks.
Local Philadelphia stores also can't seem to keep the masks in stock, according to local news station CBS3. "Everybody is calling for the dogs, everybody wants one," owner of D&J Costumes and Entertainment Derek Lee told KYW Newsradio. "Now we’re accepting preorders for the dogs." The shop is even taking preorders with a guarantee fans will receive the horrifying replica masks by game time. These dog masks are not just for show either. As expected, the Eagles are once again the underdog (Viking are favored by 3.5 points) despite the game being played on their home field.
Any Eagles fan who is not able to snag themselves a mask before the big game, fear not. Johnson has also created special T-shirts with a graphic of him and Long in the now infamous masks that sport the phrase "Home Dogs Gonna Eat," perfect attire for any Birds fan. All proceeds from the shirts will be going toward funding for Philadelphia-area schools.Â
