These super fans were surprised with Eagles sideline passes and became viral sensations

Marie Nee and Terrence Speights first crossed paths nearly 20 years ago while employed at the now-closed Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Nee worked as a guest services concierge for the hotel, while Speights served as a VIP concierge for the casino, attending to the desires of gamblers hoping for a stroke of luck at the slot machines and card tables.

Their passion for the Philadelphia Eagles brought them together and solidified their friendship. Interestingly, it seemed that some of the fortune sought by the casino patrons rubbed off on Nee and Speights themselves.

The dynamic duo, who have attended approximately 20 Eagles games together during their friendship, had secured tickets for the highly-anticipated Sunday night game against the Miami Dolphins on October 22. As they approached the Lincoln Financial Field well before kickoff to catch a glimpse of the team warming up from their seats, an Eagles staff member approached them, holding a mysterious, unmarked envelope. Nee hesitated, uncertain about accepting it.

Amused, Speights encouraged her to open it, jokingly suggesting that she had won a grand prize. Nee, initially suspicious, eventually took the envelope from the staff member’s outstretched hand. And much to their astonishment, the envelope contained sideline passes, granting them the opportunity to witness the Eagles and Dolphins warm up before the game. This was a “dream of a lifetime” for Speights, a die-hard Eagles fan, who had grown up in Camden County. Just over a month earlier, Nee had asked Speights how fans would get a chance to stand on the sideline before a game. Back then, he explained that only family members and “important” individuals would receive those passes. Now, to their delight, Nee and Speights were experiencing the sideline as VIPs themselves.

A captivating video, shared on the team’s social media platforms, quickly went viral, capturing the jubilation of Nee and Speights as they received the passes and joyfully settled into their spots on the sideline. In just five days, the original video garnered over seven million views on Instagram, four million on X (formerly Twitter), and nearly two million on Facebook.

Chuckling, Nee recalled how she nearly smothered the staff member with a massive bear hug when receiving the envelope, an endearing moment captured in the video. Overwhelmed with excitement, they descended to the field, and Nee, still in disbelief, phoned her daughter, Cynthia, to share the phenomenal news. The video became even more memorable due to Nee’s heartfelt exclamation of her daughter’s name, conveying her astonishment and delight.

While on the sideline, Speights marveled at the towering height of the stadium and the immaculate grass field, reminiscent of a meticulously manicured golf course. Decked out in their Eagles gear, including Speights’ iconic oversized green Mardi Gras beads, the pair snapped photos together. Nee even had the chance to shake hands with former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson and gaped at the enormous 6-foot-3, 314-pound defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

“When he emerged, I was like, ‘My goodness, this man is like a mountain,'” Nee marveled. “He’s enormous. He looks about 7 feet tall and incredibly broad. And I kept thinking to myself, ‘If he’s charging at a quarterback, that person must be thinking, “Oh my God.”‘”

Since the video went viral, Speights has received calls from people he hasn’t seen in years. Nee’s daughter, Cynthia, keeps her updated on the online buzz generated by the video. Although Nee herself doesn’t use social media, Cynthia ensures that she stays in the loop.

The most prevalent commentary on the video revolves around the perception that Nee and Speights are a “cute couple.” However, they both clarify that they are just friends. Speights jokingly adds that his wife “doesn’t allow [him] to date.”

Despite Nee residing approximately 100 miles away in Ventnor, while Speights lives in Chester County, they maintain regular communication about the Eagles. Whenever Nee receives tickets from her friend, a season ticket holder who can’t attend late games due to early work commitments, Speights is her go-to companion. And when they’re not attending games together, they spend hours on the phone, reacting to crucial game moments and analyzing plays.

“Marie has always been vocal, letting you know exactly what she thinks about you,” Speights shared. “But she’s always been a die-hard Eagles fan. And if she has any questions or needs clarification about something, she always turns to me. ‘Hey, why did they do that?’ She’s truly one-of-a-kind.”

While Nee and Speights may have “hit the jackpot” on that memorable Sunday, Nee believes that the Eagles will achieve similar success when the Super Bowl rolls around in February.

“Oh my goodness,” exclaimed Nee. “I have a good feeling about it. I truly do. I feel like we’re all going to the Super Bowl. I really do. I share the same mindset as Nick Sirianni: ‘One game at a time.’ I believe we can make it, but I’m not ready to fully commit to that just yet.”

For now, both Nee and Speights are immensely grateful for their once-in-a-lifetime sideline experience, their unwavering friendship, and their beloved football team.

‘Blessings come in various forms,’ Nee concluded. ‘And I genuinely believe that this was a blessing.’

In a rare occurrence, the Eagles donned their iconic kelly green uniforms for the first time in over a decade. The last time they were seen was during the eventful 2010 season, which was filled with ups and downs. The highly anticipated era of Kevin Kolb as the starting quarterback was disrupted by his concussion and injuries to other key players. However, the emergence of Michael Vick as an unexpected savior ignited a heated quarterback debate. In Episode 3 of “unCovering the Birds,” Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane delves into this chaotic Kelly Green era and the surprising season that followed. Listen here.