In 1980, Philadelphia proved that an underdog team could go all the way by winning their first World Series. That year produced one of the best baseball clubs with legendary players that are still talked about today. Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Garry Maddox, Tug McGraw, Pete Rose, Steve Carlton and my personal favorite, Mike Schmidt. Each time Schmidt would hit a home run, legendary Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas would enthusiastically yell the call and calling him by his full name Michael Jack Schmidt, it became his nickname. Philly fans would hear Kalas make this call 548 times over 18 seasons. The Phillies turned into the underdogs in 2008 and again became the World Series Champions. In 1980, local announcers did not call the games. Although he called the entire season, Kalas did not get to call the World Series win in 1980. He got his opportunity in 2008. Millions of people heard Kalas call “The 0-2 pitch... Swing and a miss! Struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball!". Kalas passed away the following year in the booth just before a game.

The New England Patriots are a dynasty. With the driving force of Tom Brady, they have dominated the Super Bowl year after year. In 2018, The Philadelphia Eagles got people talking throughout the season, winning game after game. Embracing their underdog reputation, Lane Johnson began wearing a German Sheppard mask. Using a play called The Philly Special, Nick Foles led The Philadelphia Eagles to a 41-33 victory. The Underdogs brought down the Dynasty.

Actor Sylvester Stallone moved to Philadelphia with his family and he attended Lincoln High School. After moving to Hollywood and starting a minor film career, Stallone wrote a screenplay of his own. Rocky told the story of an underdog club boxer and street enforcer who overcame many obstacles to go toe to toe on the world stage with the Heavyweight Champion. When training began for this historic fight, he would end his run at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (or as us locals call it, The Art Museum), where he could only make it halfway up the stairs. By the time his training was complete, Rocky made that iconic and victorious run up what are now known as The Rocky Steps and proved to the world that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything you want. To anyone living outside of Philadelphia, he may be a fictional character. Here in Philadelphia, Rocky Balboa is a real-life inspiration and has become THEE Philadelphia Underdog Mascot. Parallel to Rocky becoming a success, it turned Stallone from a small-time actor into a huge movie star.

These are just a FEW of the people that BECAME something here. For each of THEESE stories, there are THOUSANDS more who see Philadelphia as the Land Of Golden Opportunities!