Moorestown Township Council honored coaches Doug Pederson and Eugene Chung in a ceremony at the Community House on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Throngs of Eagles’ fans made their way to the Moorestown Community House on a drizzly morning as the sound of the Moorestown High School Madrigals’ rendition of “Fly, Eagles Fly” echoed down Main Street. The green adorned crowd assembled on the Community House lawn was there to honor a pair of Moorestown coaches who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their Super Bowl LII victory.
Saturday, Feb. 24, was proclaimed “Coach Doug Pederson Day” in Moorestown. Township council took the time to recognize Moorestown residents Doug Pederson, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Eugene Chung, assistant offensive line/ tight ends/ run game coach.
Following a performance from the Eagles’ Pep Band, Mayor Stacey Jordan introduced Pederson and Chung who were all smiles as they made their way to the platform jutting out from the steps of the Community House amidst the sound of cheers.
Deputy Mayor Manuel Delgado presented the morning’s first proclamation to Chung who was recognized as as “an outstanding and valued citizen of Moorestown.”
“Moorestown is proud to be the home of Eugene Chung — a man who has demonstrated strong leadership skills and coaching abilities to deliver a victory to the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles,” Delgado said reading from the proclamation.
Chung said he is proud to live in and be a part of the community of Moorestown.
“They talk about the parade down in Philadelphia, but this is special here, too,” Chung said. “My heart goes out to you guys. This community — this is just an example of what community should be like right here.”
Jordan said it comes as no surprise that people like Chung and Pederson would choose to live in Moorestown. She said Moorestown is a community built on faith, hope and family, which in her eyes, are ideals both Chung and Pederson embody. She said the town is thankful they choose to make Moorestown their homes.
“Now we are the best place in America to live for yet another reason, and that is we are the home of the first Eagles’ head coach to bring home the Lombardi Trophy,” Jordan said.
Jordan presented Pederson with the proclamation among booming applause.
“Doug Pederson exemplifies Moorestown’s values of community, teamwork, dedication and resolve,” Jordan said reading from the proclamation.
Pederson thanked council for the proclamation and joked he had “never had a day before.”
He said this was his family’s second time around living in Moorestown, with his eldest son having graduated from Moorestown High School. Pederson was previously with the Eagles’ organization prior to becoming head coach in 2016, having served as the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2011 to 2012, offensive quality control coach from 2009 to 2019 and played quarterback for the team in 1999. Pederson said it was a “no brainer” to return to Moorestown.
“We knew exactly where we were going to go,” Pederson said. “We were coming right back to Moorestown. It was because of you — the people in this town around this community that show not only love and support but a sense of family, a sense of pride.”
Pederson said the Eagles’ victory over the New England Patriots was never about one guy. He said the team faced a season filled with adversity and injuries, but the team was united by one message.
“I kept telling them week in and week out that it’s not about one person,” Pederson said. “I said one person can make a difference, but a team can make a miracle.”
He said while the team may change next season, that message will remain the same.
Pederson thanked the fans for coming out to support them no matter the elements, citing the rainy morning as a perfect example of fans’ unwavering devotion.
Following the ceremony, Pederson gave back to fans by signing autographs for all of the fans in attendance who wanted one.
