Orlando Sentinel

Wentz is Eagles’ No. 1 fan

Injured QB rooting hard for teammates

- By Rob Maadi

BLOOMINGTO­N, Minn. — Carson Wentz made the rounds along Radio Row at last year’s Super Bowl and promised himself he’d be back for this one.

He’s here, but only as cheerleade­r.

Wentz led the Philadelph­ia Eagles to a 10-2 start before he tore his left ACL and LCL in Week 14. Nick Foles replaced him, helped the Eagles clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 1 seed, and was spectacula­r in the conference championsh­ip game against Minnesota.

Wentz watched both playoff games from the sideline: the victory over the Falcons on crutches and the rout of the Vikings on a cane. He’s rooting hard for his teammates and enjoying their success without him. Wentz will be their No. 1 fan Sunday when they take on the New England Patriots and try to win the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960.

It’s not easy for any competitor to be forced to sit out.

“It’s just tough knowing that could be you,” said Wentz, who is walking without assistance now. “I had my sights set on this thing since I knew we weren’t making the playoffs last year. I had my sights set on playing in Minneapoli­s. It’s right down the road from home. Here we are. It just looks different for me.”

Wentz, from a neighborin­g

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States