The FOX crew’s recent visit to the Rocky statue has finally caught the attention of the man behind the legendary Rocky franchise! Recently, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Rob Gronkowski, Jay Glazer, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, and Jimmy Johnson from the FOX team filmed themselves at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. They were recreating Rocky’s triumphant pose. None less than legendary actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, took to his IG account to pay tribute to the crew!

Taking to his handle, @officialslystallone, he posted the clip with the caption, “The Great Fox Team! Thank you, Jay Glazer!” The video that is doing rounds on the internet features the FOX crew as they pay homage to the Rocky Balboa statue in Philadelphia. And, it was prior to the NFC Championship Game scheduled between the Eagles and the Commanders.

They posed raising their arms, presumably with Eye of the Tiger playing in the background. While Rob Gronkowski also made the signature “Gronk Spike” on the museum steps. Even Michael Strahan added flair by dressing in a gray tracksuit to channel Rocky’s spirit.

The Rocky Balboa statue was sculpted by A. Thomas Schomberg for Stallone’s Rocky III. Philadelphia officially celebrates ‘Rocky Day’ on December 3. It recently celebrated its 48th anniversary since the release of Rocky in 1976. Amusingly, a ‘curse’ around the eight-and-a-half-foot bronze statue of Rocky Balboa was revived. It was dressed in Commanders gear just a few days before the NFC Championship. Draped in scarf, flag, and jackets, it also had a sign that read, “Yo, Adrian, HTTC” (Hail to the Commanders). This tradition of dressing the statue in opposite teams’ gear is a major pre-game tradition for the Eagles, to claim victory in the corresponding games.

However, the FOX team visited the iconic statue, steering clear of any superstitions, to celebrate Rocky’s legacy. Even Stallone’s words, which he shared back in 2023 during the 47th ‘Rocky Day’ resonate with what the statue reminds us, “Standing at the top of these steps, you are reminded that all things are possible. Keep punching!” He asked the fans to “live your life on your own terms…and… the real victory is in never giving up,” as highlighted in a Whyy article from December 2023.

Eagles claim victory after Terry Bradshaw visits (in)famous Rocky statue

As a part of pre-game rituals, the Eagles dress the Rocky Statue in the gear of the opposing team. Whether related or unrelated, it has worked on various occasions. The 2017 NFC Championship, Super Bowl LII, 2022 Divisional Round, and even the 2022 NFC Championship. As they continued with the tradition, many fans supported it as light hearted banter. Others condemned the act, calling it disrespectful to dress the statue in rival gear.

However, just hours after the rival gear was removed, the Eagles claimed the NFC Championship. A 55-23 victory saw them set a record for scoring the most points in an NFC Championship Game. With this, they are poised to make their fifth Super Bowl appearance in a bid for their second Lombardi triumph.

So, will we see the Rocky statue draped in Chiefs colors next? Will it work its magic this time?