Walk into any Wawa from South Philly to Cherry Hill and you’ll see it. It might be a little faded now. Maybe the brim has a slight fray or the white embroidery isn’t quite as crisp as it was in February 2018. But that Eagles Super Bowl champion hat—specifically the locker room edition New Era 9FORTY with the "Super Bowl LII Champions" patch—remains the unofficial crown of the Delaware Valley. It isn't just headwear. It's a "where were you when the world changed" marker.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild. Most fanbases move on to the next season’s training camp gear within six months. Not Philly. The 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism of decades of heartbreak. Because of that, the merchandise transitioned from "new apparel" to "heirloom" almost instantly. People didn't just buy one; they bought three—one to wear, one to display, and one to keep in plastic just in case the dog chewed the first one.
The Anatomy of the New Era LII Locker Room Hat
What actually makes this specific eagles superbowl champion hat the "one"? If you look at the design, it was actually a bit of a departure for New Era. They went with a high-crown, structured look in a graphite grey rather than the traditional Midnight Green. It felt more like a trophy than a piece of clothing. You had the Super Bowl LII logo prominently displayed on the side, but the "Champions" script across the front was the real star.
It’s interesting to note that the demand was so high that Fanatics and New Era actually struggled to keep up with the initial wave of orders. We saw shipping delays that lasted weeks. If you didn't snag one at the parade or at a local Dick’s Sporting Goods within 48 hours, you were basically refreshing your browser every ten minutes like a lunatic. The hat featured a "LiquidChrome" team logo, which gave it this metallic sheen that looked incredible under the stadium lights but, admittedly, can sometimes crack if you throw it in the washing machine. Don't do that. Hand wash only. Seriously.
Variations and the Secondary Market
While the grey locker room cap is the "canonical" version, there were dozens of others. You had the parade hats, the knit beanies with the pom-poms (which were necessary given how cold that February was), and the more subtle black-on-black designs.
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But if you’re looking for a genuine eagles superbowl champion hat today, you have to be careful. The market is flooded with knockoffs. A real New Era LII cap should have the holographic NFL shield under the brim or on the tag. If the Eagle is facing the wrong way—which happens more often than you'd think with cheap replicas—it’s a dud. The real deal has the Eagle facing right, toward the "E" in Eagles, signifying the forward-thinking "Fly Eagles Fly" mantra.
Why This Specific Gear Won't Die
Most people don't realize that sports apparel is cyclical. Usually, after a few years, the "Championship" gear gets relegated to the back of the closet or the local Goodwill. That hasn't happened here. Why?
Part of it is the underdog narrative. The "Hungry Dogs Run Faster" mentality that Jason Kelce immortalized during his legendary parade speech in a Mummers outfit. When you wear that hat, you aren't just saying "my team won." You're saying "we were the ones they said couldn't do it." You're replaying the Philly Special in your head every time you catch your reflection in a store window.
Also, let's be real—the Eagles have been good since then, but they haven't finished the job again. The 2022 run to Super Bowl LVII against the Chiefs was thrilling, but losing that game actually increased the value of the 2017 gear. It kept the LII hat as the "gold standard." It's the only one that represents the summit. Until they hoist the Lombardi again, that specific eagles superbowl champion hat remains the ultimate status symbol for a "Birds" fan.
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The Collector's Perspective
I talked to a guy last year who owns fourteen different versions of this hat. Fourteen. He has the "Parade" version, the "Draft" version from that year, and even a weird international release he found on a Japanese auction site. He told me that for collectors, the 2017 season is the "Black Album" of Eagles history. Everything associated with it is sacred.
- Locker Room 9FORTY: The grey one the players wore on the podium.
- Parade Beanie: The green knit hat with the "Champs" text.
- The "Underdog" Mask: Technically not a hat, but often paired with it.
- Limited Edition Gold-Trim: Released later to commemorate the win.
If you’re hunting for a vintage one now, sites like eBay or Grailed are your best bets, but expect to pay a premium. A deadstock (never worn) locker room hat can go for double its original retail price. It’s basically an investment at this point.
Spotting a Fake in the Wild
You've gotta be sharp. Because the eagles superbowl champion hat is so iconic, the "bootleg" market is massive. Check the stitching on the Super Bowl LII patch. On the authentic New Era versions, the silver thread has a distinct metallic luster. The fakes often use a flat, grey polyester thread that looks dull.
Another giveaway is the "sweatband" inside the hat. Authentic NFL locker room gear uses moisture-wicking technology that feels slightly textured. If it feels like cheap cotton or if the "New Era" flag on the left side is crooked, you're looking at a counterfeit.
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It’s also about the shape. The 9FORTY is a "stretch-fit" or "snapback" hybrid with a curved brim. A lot of the fakes try to mimic the 59FIFTY flat-brim style but get the proportions all wrong, making the crown look like a giant foam finger for your head.
Taking Care of the Legacy
If you still have yours, or if you just bought one to celebrate the history of the franchise, treat it with respect. These hats weren't exactly built for the rigors of a construction site or a sweaty gym session. They were built for a celebration.
The LiquidChrome logos are notorious for peeling if exposed to high heat. So, if you leave it on the dashboard of your car in July, don't be surprised if the Eagles logo starts to look like it’s melting into the fabric. Keep it in a cool, dry place. If it gets dirty, use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a tiny bit of mild detergent.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to acquire or preserve a piece of this history, here is exactly what you should do right now.
- Verify Authenticity: Check for the NFL "offical licensed product" sticker and the specific New Era branding inside the tape of the crown.
- Storage Matters: If you aren't wearing it, buy a plastic hat protector. It keeps the dust off the embroidery and prevents the "crush" that ruins the structured front panels.
- Check Local "Old Stock" Shops: Sometimes, smaller sports shops in the Pennsylvania suburbs still have random back-stock of Super Bowl gear that didn't sell years ago. It’s a gold mine if you can find it.
- Avoid Dry Cleaners: The chemicals used in dry cleaning can destroy the adhesive used for the heat-pressed patches on the 2017-era hats.
- Document Your Story: If you wore that hat to the parade, write it down. Put a small note inside the sweatband or keep a photo of you wearing it at Broad and Pattison. In twenty years, that's what makes the eagles superbowl champion hat a family heirloom rather than just another piece of clothing.
The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the most dedicated fanbases in the world. We don't just support the team; we live and die by the Sunday box score. This hat is the physical manifestation of the greatest night in the history of the city. Wear it with pride, or keep it safe on a shelf—just make sure you know exactly what you’ve got in your hands. It’s more than just a hat. It’s the 2017 season, frozen in time.