By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-29 06:09:55 | Updated at 2025-01-30 08:30:59
1 day ago
A Philadelphia Eagles fan who plunged from a pole while celebrating the team's Super Bowl berth on Sunday night has died from his injuries.
Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy, 18, was placed on life support after suffering a brain injury from the horror fall at 15th and Market streets in Philadelphia's Center City.
He was rushed to Jefferson Hospital with 'critical injuries' before passing away on Tuesday January 28, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia.
Temple University announced late Tuesday night that Sabapathy - a first-year student and native of Toronto, Canada - has died after the tragic incident.
The teenager was a student at Temple’s College of Public Health, where he was majoring in exercise and sports science. He was also an aspiring gymnast who won over 120 medals in various regional and international competitions.
'As a member of the university’s club gymnastics team, Tyler displayed exceptional self-discipline and work ethic, spending countless hours a week training and honing his craft. He was loved by his teammates, friends and coaches here in Philadelphia,' a school spokesperson wrote.
An Eagles fan who plunged from a pole while celebrating the team's Super Bowl berth has died
Temple University chiefs are offering resources for students and staff impacted by Sabapathy’s death.
His tragic fall came on a chaotic night in Philadelphia, where mayhem broke out after the Eagles trounced the Washington Commanders in Sunday's NFC Championship game.
One man was stabbed during an argument outside the Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field stadium and gunshots were fired in the city center, while hundreds of fans clashed with riot police after taking to the streets to party the night away.
Several people were also left injured when a car ploughed into a large crowd out celebrating the win over the Commanders, which set up a Super Bowl showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
Sabapathy's fall came after Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker had begged fans not to climb poles despite it becoming tradition following big victories.
'You don't want to be in a celebratory moment, you know, have a tragedy occur,' Parker warned before urging supporters: 'Please don't climb the poles.'
Footage on social media also showed another fan falling from a light pole after trying to grab onto a flag which had ripped, though he appeared to emerge unscathed.
New Orleans police spokesperson Barry Fletcher also issued a warning this week about climbing street poles at next month's Super Bowl, and while he neglected to mention Eagles supporters by name, he was directing his response to a Philadelphia newspaper.
The tragic fall came on a chaotic night in Philadelphia as fans celebrated the Eagles' victory
'Regarding climbing street light poles, that is not only illegal [trespassing] but is unsafe as many of the street light poles in the French Quarter are quite old,' Fletcher said in an email to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 'Climbing on them risks toppling the light pole.'
While chaos ensued on the streets, on the field it proved a historic night for Philadelphia as the Eagles cruised past the Commanders to reach their second Super Bowl in three years.
Running-back sensation Saquon Barkley stole the show after powering through for another 60-yard touchdown run plus two other rushing scores in the 55-23 thrashing of Washington.
Jalen Hurts also rushed for three touchdowns to set up a mouthwatering rematch with the Chiefs, who got the better of them in the 2023 Super Bowl.
