Sirianni denies flipping off fans
Philadelphia Eagles coach explains hand gesture after 19-11 loss to Giants, now sitting at 2-7.
By Anthony Shevchenko ·
Nick Sirianni denied giving the middle finger to Philadelphia Eagles fans after a 19-11 loss to the New York Giants. The Eagles head coach said the gesture was a surprise to him. He stated, "Absolutely not. That was a surprise to me. Absolutely not." Video from the game shows Sirianni looking at his hand as he walked toward the tunnel. One finger was raised higher than the others.
The defeat marked the Eagles' first loss in Philadelphia to the Giants since 2013. The result leaves the team with a 2-7 record. They are currently on a seven-game losing streak. This is the worst start in Sirianni's tenure with the franchise. It is also the first time since 1999 that the Eagles have started a season 2-7.
Tensions between Sirianni and the fanbase have existed for years. In 2024, fans booed the coach during a game against the Cleveland Browns. Some supporters chanted for him to be fired. The Eagles won that matchup 20-16 despite a 1-5 record at the time. Sirianni cupped his ears and shouted at the crowd as he left the field.
After the 2024 incident, Sirianni initially described his behavior as having fun. He later apologized and said he was trying to bring energy and enthusiasm to the team. He noted that his energy should focus on coaching and motivating players. He admitted he needed better judgment in how he directed that energy at the end of games.
This week, Sirianni took more than an hour to reach the podium for his postgame press conference. He said he spent that time speaking with players. He did not specify the details of those conversations. Head coaches typically hold press conferences much sooner after a game ends. Many observers noted the unusual delay online.
The loss to the Giants dropped the Eagles to last place in the NFC East. The team is dealing with a losing record and major injuries. Sirianni addressed the hand gesture directly when asked about it by reporters. He maintained that the motion was not intended for the fans. The Eagles will continue their season with their current standing.
