Eagles chant echoes through the mall as shoppers pick up their Super Bowl gear

In the wake of the Philadelphia Eagles' first ever franchise Super Bowl championship, fans celebrated in and around Philadelphia in the hours following the win. Some hopped westbound trains from South Jersey into the city and others left Super Bowl parties for a late night shopping spree.

Fans flocked to local sporting goods stores to pick up their official NFL Super Bowl champion gear after the game Sunday night.

Modell's in Deptford opened immediately following the big game with Eagles gear donning the Super Bowl logo stocking shelves, racks and tables throughout the store.

"The fans were great," said Mike Schawaryn, general manager of the Deptford shop. "They were so grateful that we were opened and very excited about the win."

Staff and security set up ropes leading up to the stores entrances to ensure an orderly line -- one that wrapped around the store, outside the mall and towards the nearby Boscovs entrance.

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Schawaryn said fans were tame, excited to get their gear but still chanting the infamous Eagles chant as they waited and shopped.

"The chant echoed through the mall," he said. "Everyone was loving life."

Once in the store, all of the official merchandise was laid out on an island of tables in the center of the store. Hats, shirts and hoodies flew from the table into shoppers hands until about 1 a.m. when the lines died down and store staff got a break.

Schawaryn reopened the store at 5 a.m. for those unwilling to face the crowds after the game and said it's been a steady stream of shoppers ever since.

"I needed to get a hat," said Chris Montgomery, an avid Eagles fan and Deptford resident. "I was nervous that if I didn't go right after the game I would have to wait a while to get one online or risk not getting one at all because they sold out in stores."

"It's cold here in South Jersey and I think it'll be cold for a while so a t-shirt won't cut it," he added. "A hat you can see no matter what you're wearing."

While fear of items selling out is a valid concern for fans, Schawaryn said the store will be getting fresh stock in all week to keep shoppers happy and supplied.

Brittney Hudson, a 31-year-old fan from Logan Township, made the trip to the mall before heading into work and bought two shirts, a hoodie and a hat.

"What are the odds of it happening again soon," she said. "I need enough gear to last me until the next time this happens."

While she hopes it happens year after year, she joked about Philadelphia surviving back-to-back wins.

"I haven't been to the city yet but I'm sure it's still standing," she said. "But if a win like this happens again, Philly might not make it out alive."

Hudson added she's looking forward to the parade and the weeks worth of celebrating ahead.

The parade date has not been announced but the city of Phildelphia is set to announce plans Monday.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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