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

“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.

Episode 3: Time to fly

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

Coach Vermeil takes a break. Did he invent burnout? Hear what it took for him to put the headset back on and step back onto the field. Coach Vermeil makes two discoveries: a new found love of the game and a quarterback who had never started in the NFL.



Hear what really happened from Coach Vermeil, Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Mike Jones, Trent Green, and more!

Episode 5: The Greatest Show on Turf

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c8a46859-f4f3-46c5-86f3-af110158ddaf/transcript

Return Game is back for Season 3! Return Game: Coach Vermeil, presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation, is hosted by Rob Ellis and takes you through the legendary career of Dick Vermeil. From humble beginnings at Hillsdale High School all the way to Super Bowl glory, relive the story as told by Coach Vermeil himself and the people who were there to experience it with him including Ron Jaworski, Herm Edwards, Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Dante Hall, and many others. Return Game: Coach Vermeil pulls back the curtain on the legendary man who left his mark not only in Philadelphia, but on the game of football, and was recently recognized for his contributions as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022.

Coming September 16: Season 3 of Return Game with Dick Vermeil

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/37c77ca4-00d4-4fa9-a9a4-af0e0157216d/transcript

Return Game: Birds, ‘Boys and Bad Blood presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation is the sweeping story of the Eagles and Cowboys Rivalry.

In this episode, Rob and Derrick explore the psychological reasons fans root for one team or the other. They learn some new terms and are joined by Eagles fans and fans from across the NFL. And if you think wearing your special jersey puts your team over the edge, you are not alone.

To experience more of the rivalry between the Birds and the ‘Boys, head over to: h[https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood). There you’ll find photos, videos, audio clips, and more interviews.

Season 2, Episode 12 - Inside the Mind of a Fan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ba71e159-e105-40d6-b195-aeac01483f06/transcript

Return Game: Birds, ‘Boys and Bad Blood presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation is the sweeping story of the Eagles and Cowboys Rivalry. The National Football League has been around for over 100 years and some of its rivalries have been exciting fans for nearly as long. 

This episode is packed with history and tidbits about how the rivalries between the Packers and Bears, the Steelers and Ravens and the Raiders and Chiefs got started. 

When the Dallas Cowboys entered the league in 1960 they quickly became the one of the most reviled teams in the NFC East? Why did this happen to the newcomers?

To experience more of the rivalry between the Birds and the ‘Boys, head over to: [https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood). There you’ll find photos, videos, audio clips and more interviews.

Season 2, Episode 11 - Rivalries

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/64f916ad-221e-4d6a-8040-aeac01483d1b/transcript

Return Game: Birds, ‘Boys and Bad Blood presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation is the sweeping story of the Eagles and Cowboys Rivalry.  Favorite Eagles and Cowboys rivalry moments told by some of our most famous fans.

Stories from:

Carli Lloyd - Eagles Fan and Olympic & World Cup soccer champion

Morris Chestnut - Eagles Fan and Actor

Colleen Wolfe - Eagles Fan and NFL Media Host

Harry Higgs - Eagles Fan and Professional Golfer

Tariq Trotter - Eagles Fan,  co-founder of The Roots and artist

David Borearnaz - Eagles Fan and Actor and Producer

Kevin Neghadni - Eagles Fan and ESPN SportsCenter Host

DJ Jazzy Jeff - Eagles Fan, DJ and musician 

Zac Clark - Eagles Fan, co-founder of Release Recovery and a member of #BachelorNation

Jim Cramer - Eagles Fan and host of _Mad Money _

To experience more of the rivalry between the Birds and the ‘Boys, head over to: h[https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood). There you’ll find photos, videos, audio clips and more interviews.

Season 2, Episode 10 - Fandemonium

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/57fdc727-92ab-4384-84d6-aeac0149388f/transcript

Return Game: Birds, ‘Boys, and Bad Blood, presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation, is the sweeping story of the Eagles and Cowboys rivalry. The 1960s saw the Philadelphia Eagles experience a stretch of highs and lows. They opened the decade as World Champions, but by the end of the decade, the team was struggling to post a winning record.

That indifference ended and the bad blood began all in one fateful game at the Cotton Bowl in December 1967. Hear the story of the play that started it all - the spark from which this rivalry was born.

To experience more of the rivalry between the Birds and the ‘Boys, head over to: [https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/birdsboysbadblood). There you’ll find photos, videos, audio clips, and more interviews.

Season 2, Episode 1 - The Hit that Started it All

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5451fa86-1b38-46fa-b289-aeac0150037e/transcript

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

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

25 clip(s)