Over the years, the Philadelphia Eagles have garnered a reputation for having quite passionate fans. Their fan base widely ranges with their emotions, depending on the team’s success. However, one fan chose to take it a step further with a special dedication to his mother during a game.

NFL fans’ passion runs deep

Sports allow people to escape everyday life and experience the emotional highs and lows of following a team.

It’s also another avenue for people to connect with others through their shared interest in a team or player fueled by entertainment. Sports are one of the few areas where the fandom rangings from various backgrounds that create a singular connection.

The NFL has many passionate fans that range from those wearing specially crafted team-oriented attire at games to decorating their own homes. Over a decade ago, one Philadelphia Eagles fan chose to take that a step further with a unique dedication to his mother.

An NFL fan fulfills heartwarming gesture for his mother

The NFL holds the luxury of having extremely dedicated fans over the years that has fueled the league’s booming popularity.

The fans’ passion can sometimes run extremely deep, with their lives shaped by their personal connection to a franchise or player. That was certainly the case for Christopher Noteboom, of Tempe, Arizona, regarding his mother Charlotte Noteboom’s passion for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Noteboom’s mother passed away in January 2005 at age 70 from emphysema just before the Eagles trip to Super Bowl 39 against the New England Patriots. During the Eagles 19-14 win over the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 27, 2005, Noteboom decided to run onto the field with a plastic bag of his mother’s ashes.

Noteboom ran across Lincoln Financial Field, spreading his mother’s ashes near midfield. Following the incident, he stated the grand gesture for his mom was made due to her strong affinity for the Eagles. (H/T Foxs News)

“She never cared for any other team except the Eagles,” Noteboom told WPVI-TV after he was released from custody Monday. “I know that the last handful of ashes I had are laying on the field, and will never be taken away. She’ll always be part of Lincoln Financial Field and of the Eagles.”

Noteboom’s actions saw him receive defiant trespassing charges, which he had to do community services to have the case against him dropped. Although the move caused some serious legal issues, it was a touching moment dedicated to his mother.

Eagles stumble through 2005 season

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2005 season with high hopes after reaching Super Bowl 39.

In the 2004 campaign, the Eagles pushed through internal turmoil between star quarterback Donovan McNabb and All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens. Philadelphia stayed the same path to begin the year with a promising 3-1 start. However, things quickly fell apart, with them dropping eight out of their last 11 regular-season games.

The season went off the rails in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans after McNabb tore his ACL and meniscus in his right knee while jumping out of bounds. It also didn’t help that Owens’ internal conflict forced the team to suspend him after seven games played. Despite him playing a significant part in the offense, the star wideout had caused plenty internal friction.

Following the season, the Eagles released him, to which he joined the division rival Dallas Cowboys in March 2006. Meanwhile, McNabb remained with the team until Philadelphia traded him to the then-Washington Redskins before the 2010 season.