“No thank you,” was the answer the Eagles heard from Coach Dick Vermeil when they wanted to bring him in for an interview to become the struggling franchise's new head coach. What changed his mind? After a rocky start, the Vermeil coaching philosophy was starting to take hold and the ride turned out to be electric! 



Hear stories from Eagles legends Vince Papale, Herm Edwards, Carl Hairston. Plus, Coach Vermeil, Ray Didinger, and Merrill Reese.

Return Game runs it back like never before. This Official Eagles Podcast takes you deep inside the most iconic moments in Philadelphia Eagles history, bringing you first-hand accounts of unbelievable games, unforgettable plays, unrelenting rivalries, and undeniable characters. Each season of Return Game features a never-heard-before take on a different time, team, personality, or moment in Eagles lore. Buckle up— this is team history straight from the people who lived it.

Return Game

Episode 3: Time to fly

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c22cab33-d996-4955-bc5a-af110159f19f/transcript

With Dallas in their sights, the Birds head into the second half of the Vermeil era with the feeling they are invincible. But how long could that feeling – and the Vermeil magic – last? Bold moves on and off the field leave Coach Vermeil faced with the biggest decision of his career.



Hear from Eagles legends Jerry Sisemore, Bill Bergey, Ron Jaworski, Herm Edwards, Carl Hairston. Plus, Coach Vermeil, Ray Didinger, and Merrill Reese.

Episode 4: Peaks & valleys

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8f3f1059-bf44-4c80-ad9c-af11015960c0/transcript

A young Dick Vermeil grows up in Napa Valley, CA. It’s a tough life, but the seeds for his coaching philosophy are planted. He bops around from one coaching position to the next, improving his reputation with each move. 



Hear stories from Coach Vermeil, Coach Vermeil's brother Al Vermeil, and some of the first players he ever coached, many of whom he still keeps in touch!

Episode 1: From garage to gridiron

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/054b8ed7-8741-4f23-a70f-af11015a7e74/transcript

In his biggest job to date, Coach Vermeil heads the UCLA Bruins. This episode has stories of bad grades, a pre-Rose Bowl players’ mutiny, turtleneck sweaters at Disneyland, a moment that still makes Coach Vermeil get choked up, and some amazing football.


It was such good football that an NFL team came calling with an intriguing offer.



Hear stories from Randy Cross, Jerry Robinson, John Sciarra, and Carl Peterson – Sciarra and Peterson introduced Coach Vermeil at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

Episode 2: It’s coming up roses

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/68bde2ac-4d6f-421b-9115-af11015a2cf4/transcript

Episode 3: Time to fly

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