It's over. The Philadelphia Eagles' run at the Super Bowl title came to an end last night at the hands of New England. The two-week-long frenzy that has engulfed the entire city will die down in the next few days, and life for Eagles fans will return to normal -- hopefully.
But while there will be no victory parade down Broad Street tomorrow, there are still a great many things for this city to hold its head high about.
For the past two weeks, Philadelphians have united behind their team, with a little help from the Eagles catchy "One: team, city, dream."
That spirit of cooperation among everyone from city dwellers to suburbanites does not have to end today.
As fans come back down to earth after the high of seeing their team on the NFL's biggest stage, let us not forget the many challenges facing Philadelphia in the coming year.
Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor John Street both rooted together for their hometown team. Now if they could only work together to improve their hometown.
SEPTA desperately needs a financial overhaul. City Hall could use a boost of confidence after the last year of scandal. Philadelphia is hemorrhaging college students and young professionals.
On the surface, these problems may seem impossible to solve.
But then again, most people thought it would be impossible for the Eagles to finally win the NFC Championship game and reach the Super Bowl. The Birds proved the naysayers wrong this year, and the city can prove naysayers wrong as well.
Super Bowl fever brought Philadelphians together from far and wide. If only that spirit of cooperation could stay with us longer than the Eagles' second-quarter lead last night.
It was refreshing to forgo talk of transit woes and corruption at City Hall for two weeks while the region fixated on a common goal. These things will not disappear overnight, but if all Philadelphians are willing to work together, permanent solutions can be found.
An Eagles win last night would have certainly given the region a huge boost of confidence. But there is no reason now that we can't create a boost of confidence on our own.
And, if nothing else, there's always next year.
