Papal visit causes Eagles to practice at Monmouth this weekend

To some Philadelphians, the papal visit this upcoming weekend will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For many others, it will be looked at as nothing more than a major inconvenience. If you’re in the latter camp, just know that the local professional football team is in the same boat.

The Eagles are choosing to skip town before the World Meeting of Families really starts to take over the city. They will travel to North Jersey tomorrow before practicing at Monmouth University on Friday and Saturday to prepare for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at the Meadowlands.

“Yeah, there’s supposed to be a lot of people coming to town this weekend, there’s something going on,” Chip Kelly said, putting it mildly.

Receiver Miles Austin attended Monmouth, an FCS program that sends very few players to the NFL. In 2014, Austin had his number 80 jersey retired by the school.

“The legend is going back home,” Kelly joked.

The practices in West Long Branch will be closed to the media and public, including Monmouth students.


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