The Top 5 “Flu Game” Performances in Eagles’ History
Michael Jordan’s 10-part documentary came to a conclusion, capturing the entire glory of the 1998 Chicago Bulls.
The final episodes, in particular, were eye-opening, as they brought more light to Jordan’s infamous “flu game” – the time when MJ played game 5 of the NBA finals with what’s said to be food poisoning. Jordan dropped 38 points that night in a 90-88 win over the Utah Jazz, and the next game, his Bulls would claim the trophy for the 3rd straight year.
Although there will never be another performance quite as perseverant as MJ’s that night, there have still been plenty of instances where players defied medical odds and delivered masterpieces.
Our team decided to come up with our own list of Eagles players who did just that in their own versions of the “Flu Game”.
1) T.O. Plays With Screws in His Leg in the Super Bowl
Photo: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Week 15 of the 2004 season was a horrific blow to Eagles fans everywhere – after a 12-7 win over the Cowboys, it was announced that Terrell Owens would be out with a broken leg until at least the Super Bowl week. Even after the Eagles made it that far, doctors did not want to clear Owens on account of him having a highly likely chance of re-injuring himself. T.O. didn’t care.
After his surgery, Owens had screws inserted in his leg and was ready to play against the Patriots. Sure the Eagles lost, but you can’t blame T.O. for any part of it. He went out and played 62 of 72 offensive snaps, catching nine passes for 122 yards. It is still, to this day, the gutsiest performance in Eagles’ history.
2) McNabb Throws 4 TDs on Broken Ankle
Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
On the third play of the game against the Cardinals in week 11 of 2002, McNabb began to scramble, when he was hit by Adrian Wilson, who forced a fumble. McNabb got bent over backward, and after the whistle blew, still laid there.
Seeing the injury happen, there wasn’t a single soul who believed he could come back in the game, but McNabb did just that. Taping up his ankle in the locker room, McNabb returned and threw for 255 yards and 4 TDS in a 38-14 Eagles win.
For most of the game, McNabb kept his right leg in the air on throws to avoid putting pressure on it. The injury kept him out for 6 games, but he would not be denied that day.
3) Alshon Jeffery Plays Super Bowl Season With Torn Rotator Cuff
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
This moment is slightly different than the rest because it spans over an entire season, but that’s what makes it so special.
Two weeks after the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018, it was revealed that Alshon Jeffery had to get surgery for a torn rotator cuff that had been an issue since the summer. I’m not a doctor, but to play with a torn rotator cuff as a wide receiver, where stretching and rotating your arms is a big part of your job, is extraordinary. Also consider the season that Jeffery had – 57 receptions, 789 yards, and 9 touchdowns.
Then, in the playoffs, he followed it up with 12 receptions, 219 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Not to mention the incredible leaping grab he had in the Super Bowl. Love him or hate him, he was a big part of the team’s first Lombardi trophy.
4) Seth Joyner Plays With 102-Degree Fever in “House of Pain” Game
Photo: Associated Press
Can’t have a “Flu Game” list without an actual flu game. A year in which Randall Cunningham was lost for the season, the Eagles were still in the playoff race by week 14 of 1991 but had a tremendous task in the Houston Oilers. The Oilers, led by Warren Moon, were 9-3 and averaging 400 yards a game. The 7-5 Eagles had to take them on in the Astro Dome, a place where the Oilers were undefeated at that point.
During the day, leading up to the game, however, key defensive piece, Seth Joyner was sick in bed with a 102-degree fever. In the locker room for pregame, he was throwing up. Fever and all, Joyner went out and had the game of his life; he racked up 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, recovered 2 fumbles, and recorded 8 solo tackles in a 13-6 Eagles win. After the game, Jerome Brown said that “they brought the house, we brought the pain”. It’s highly regarded as one of the best defensive efforts in NFL history.
5) Zach Ertz Fights Through Broken Ribs
Photo: Heather Khalifa/Philadelphia Inquirer
This past season was marred with injuries. Even when it couldn’t get worse, it did; in week 16 against the Cowboys, Carson Wentz slightly overthrew Zach Ertz on the first drive, resulting in a massive hit from Xavier Woods. Slow to get up, Ertz returned and finished the game anyway, with 4 receptions and 28 yards. He was then diagnosed with non-displaced rib fractures, a rib cartilage fracture, and a lacerated kidney.
Even though he missed week 17 against the Giants, Ertz came back to play in the playoff game against the Seahawks, despite having an injury that should have kept him out for a much longer time period. Wearing an extra chest plate, Ertz had 2 catches for 44 yards. It’s unbelievable that he was able to even get out onto the field, much less run at normal speed.
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