After his rookie season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and avid outdoorsman Carson Wentz gave his entire offensive line personalized Beretta Silver Pigeon over-under shotguns. The antis — both hunting and guns — went crazy! Critics lit up the team’s social media sites with less than supportive comments.
CeaseFirePA sent gun locks to Pigeon-toting (not toed) Eagles players. The sporting press pressed the “issue” again and again — as if there was something wrong with Carson’s and like-minded teammates’ firearms familiarity and hunting prowess.
In March, Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox went on the offensive (no pun intended). Cox collaborated with SilencerCo. and LG Outfitters to make a video diary of his recent nilgai hunt in Texas. “Comparing shooting a nilgai at 380 yards versus coming out of the tunnel at Lincoln Financial Field,” Cox said in the video. “Your adrenaline is pumping. You know that you’ve game planned for your opponent in football and you’ve game planned for that animal you’re going to kill.”
If that wasn’t enough to get the anti-hunting brigade riled up, in May, QB Wentz took his team out for some serious trigger time, posting a pic on his Instagram account. Eagle-eyed readers criticized one player for holding a shotgun in a potentially unsafe direction while peering at his smart phone. Dumb move!
The “controversy” over the Eagles’ hunting (not hunting eagles) refuses to die. On Friday, anti-hunting birds fans flocked to Twitter to take the team members to task for their love of hunting. Wide Receiver Torrey Smith fired back, defending the pursuit. A few of his teammates, including Wentz backed him up.
I don’t know what the prospects are for your upcoming gridiron season boys, but your hunting game is on point. We need more athletes speaking out about the positive aspects of hunting and being in the great outdoors, and less of them kneeling through the national anthem.
This is both refreshing and encouraging.
Considering how badly some athletes behave I think the media had bigger fish to fry.
“Considering how badly some athletes behave…”
Yup. If he were to do that for an NBA team, some 40 percent (?) are convicted felons and are prohibited persons…
Right? Im still mad the eagles let that scum bag michael vic back into a job.
Go, Eagles!
As a lifelong Giants fan, I despise the Eagles. But after this, I might have to reconsider.
Ah, nuts. Who am I kidding? I hate the Eagles almost as much as I hate the Cowboys. Almost.
We eagles fans hate the cowboys and the giants. Especially the cowboys.
Well, at least we have that in common — we hate the Cowboys.
Go Cowboys!
I used to be a fan of the Cowboys. Then I grew up.
I used to be a fan. Then I grew up.
As a (barely) pre-Dak Cowboys fan, I’m trying to think of something snarky (like pointing out how much better Dak is than Carson Wentz), but honestly, y’all have OBJ and recent Super Bowl rings, so I’ll be quiet.
Those Nilgai are pretty big. Might have to rethink hunting back in Texas.
Whether you are for or against something who cares what athletes, (or actors, musicians, artists, etc for that matter) have to say about it? Why do we value these peoples opinions and hold them up as roll models and/or get scared and angry if they say something we dont like? Who cares what they think
I don’t see anyone here holding up these men as role models, rather I see it as an acknowledgment of the fact that they aren’t backing down from the pressure being applied by the SJW class. That they are relatively well known makes it more of a statement than if you or I get pounced on our FaceTwit feed for posting a pic hunting.
Perfectly right!
Eagles should wear orange bibs during a throwback uni game. And muddy girl camo helmets.
That video with the nilgai made me hungry. That looks like a lot of meat!
So many bird puns. Fantastic.
They sent gun locks? To guys with some nice O/U shotguns? Cause… guns?
What kind of lock do you even use on a double barrel? Genuinely curious. I think I’d prefer to put it above a mantle instead of in a safe or a dark corner with a gun lock…
Love Raiders and Packers. And “hunting Eagles” now!