How Foles went from castoff to Super Bowl MVP.
Ex-starter accounts for 4 TDs, becomes toast of Philadelphia
MINNEAPOLIS — Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles said last week he seriously thought about giving up football because the game was no longer fun for him after the 2015 season. Think he’s glad he didn’t? In Super Bowl LII, Foles was 28-of-43 passing for 373 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to tight end Zach Ertz with 2:21 left, to give the Eagles a 41-33 upset of New England on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Foles also caught a 1-yard touchdown pass on a trick play. The ball was snapped to rookie running back Corey Clement, who got it to tight end Trey Burton, who threw the pass to a wide-open Foles.
Foles, 29, an Austin native who played at Westlake High School and the University of Arizona, became a Super Bowl MVP who’s going to Disney World with his family Monday.
“I’m speechless,” Foles said after his performance. “To be in this moment is something you dream about as a kid. To be right here with the confetti flying with the greatest group of men, I’m just blessed to be part of it.”
And Foles was a big part of it, too.
Magical ride for journeyman
On the winning touchdown drive, coach Doug Pederson went for the first down on fourth-and-1 at his 45 with 5:39 remaining. The Eagles trailed 33-32. Under relentless pressure from the Patriots, Foles threw a 2-yard pass to Ertz for a first down.
Six plays later, the Eagles had third-and-7 at New England’s 11 with 2:25 left. A field goal would have given them another lead, but Foles spied Ertz cutting across the middle and threw a pass that will be part of Philadelphia sports lore for as long as the Eagles are playing.
Ertz left his feet and extended the ball across the goal line for a touchdown — Foles’ third scoring pass of the game.
“They trusted me, and that’s all I can asked,” Ertz said after catching seven passes for 67 yards. “I want to get the ball whenever the situation calls for it.
“He’s (Foles) amazing. The past three weeks, he’s been playing out of his mind. People panicked when Carson (Wentz) went down (in the 14th game), but we had all the confidence in the world in Nick.
“He’s a fantastic human and a fantastic player.”
And to think Foles came close to not being in Philadelphia for the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory and first title since 1960.
Foles bounced like a pinball from Philadelphia to St. Louis to Kansas City and back to Philadelphia, and Sunday night, he became a champion.
After the 2015 season with the Rams, Foles found himself on a roster that included veteran Case Keenum and Jared Goff, the first overall pick in the draft. He asked to be released, and coach Jeff Fisher granted his request.
Foles signed with Kansas City, where he was reunited with Andy Reid, his first coach with the Eagles. He didn’t play much in 2016 but re-discovered his love for the game playing under Reid.
Foles returned to Philadelphia this season to back up Wentz. When Wentz suffered a seasonending knee injury in the 14th game, Foles was elevated.
In three playoff victories over Atlanta, Minnesota and New England, Foles was 77-of-106 for 971 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.
Foles and another Austin Westlake quarterback, Drew Brees, are the only quarterbacks from Texas to win Super Bowls.
A hero in Philly
Foles was supposed to be overmatched by Tom Brady, who was magnificent with a Super Bowlrecord 505 passing yards and three scores. Foles never allowed the pressure to get to him.
“I felt calm,” Foles said. “We have such a great group of guys and a great coaching staff. We felt confident coming in.
“We’ve played this game since we were kids and dreamed about this moment. I’m very blessed to be here with my wife, my daughter, my family and my teammates.”
And his fans. He’s got a lot of them now, especially in Philadelphia.
“We’ve been wanting this for a long time,” Foles said about the championship. “This is a great city to play for, and I’m proud to be a Philadelphia Eagle.”
Foles has one year left on his contract. When Wentz returns, Foles will return to the bench, at least for one more season. Unless the Eagles want to strike while he’s hot and trade him in the offseason.
That wouldn’t sit well with many Eagles’ fans, especially now.
“Nick’s a great player and a great person,” said receiver Nelson Agholor, who caught nine passes for 84 yards. “He’s always poised, and he’s always ready to make plays.
“I trust Foles. He does what he needs to do. Our quarterbacks are coached very well.”
And Foles responded, on the biggest stage, quite well to that coaching.