The Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 on Sunday for the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.

Philly fans aren’t the only ones celebrating the victory—several former BYU players from past Eagles teams weighed in on what it means for the franchise and city.

Chad Lewis, current BYU associate athletic director and football alumnus, played tight end for the Eagles in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He caught the game-clinching touchdown pass in the 2005 NFC Championship game, but broke his foot on the play, keeping him out of the Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Patriots.

The Eagles got their revenge this year, earning what Lewis called “an emotional victory.”

Michele Lewis
Chad Lewis runs on the field with his daughters Sarah, left, and Emily in Dec. 2000. Lewis played for Philadelphia for nearly eight seasons. Lewis said the Super Bowl was an “emotional victory” for his family, after being injured for the Eagles’ loss to the Patriots in 2005. (Michele Lewis)

Lewis – who was at the game – said he was happy for all the former Çougars who played for Philadelphia, including Andy Reid, who coached the Eagles from 1999-2012.

“I am so thrilled for the Eagles organization and the city of Philadelphia,” Lewis said. “The game was incredible.”

Reno Mahe, former BYU running back and coach, played for the Eagles more recently, retiring from the team in 2007. He was also on the team that lost to the Patriots in 2005.

“I can finally let go of the loss 13 years ago,” Mahe said on Twitter. “Much love to the city of Philly, (they) so deserved this championship.”

In 2005, Mahe led the NFL in punt returns with 21 returns for 269 yards, an average of 12.8 yards per return for the Eagles.

“I was the only one from BYU to actually play in the Super Bowl in 2005,” Mahe told the Daily Universe. “It’s nice to erase that bitter loss.”

Sunny Mahe
Reno Mahe celebrates the Super Bowl with his family. Mahe played as a running back in the Eagles’ loss to the Patriots in 2005, and coached at BYU until last year. (Sunny Mahe)

Former BYU football star Kyle Van Noy found himself on the losing end of this year’s Super Bowl, but still represented the Cougars well with four solo tackles and one tackle for loss.

“I’m not even thinking about next year,” Van Noy said after the game. “I’m thinking about having an opportunity slip.”

Van Noy won his first Super Bowl with the Patriots last year, the first Cougar to do so since Dennis Pitta in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens.

He is also the first BYU alumnus to play in back-to-back Super Bowls since 1990.

“I’m not even sad for him, he already has his Super Bowl ring,” joked Mahe on Van Noy’s loss. “He is going to be an awesome NFL player – I’m a big fan of his.”

Dave McCann, a BYUtv sports announcer, was at Sunday’s Super Bowl. He said the Philly faithful haven’t forgotten the former Cougars.

“Eagles fans still love those guys,” McCann said. “I watched them line up at the Super Bowl to shake hands and reminisce with Chad Lewis and Vai Sikahema. They talked with them like they were members of their own family, and in many ways, they are.”

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