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For Philadelphia’s rowdy sports fans, a championship victory inevitably calls for a big celebration. And those fans are certainly prepared to party if their beloved Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl this Sunday.
But for Philadelphia police officers, that means only one thing: It’s time to grease the street poles to deter any revelers looking to celebrate from on high.
It’s an oddball situation that has challenged both cops and climbers. The police have tried different substances to make things as slippery as possible. Previously they went with vegetable shortening — specifically Crisco — but now they’re using what they call a “biodegradable fluid solution” as seemingly a slicker alternative. And perhaps a less messy one.
“It washes off with rain or a hose and is safe to use,” Joy Huertas, a city spokesperson, told MarketWatch.
Huertas added that if the Eagles win, the city has multiple safety plans in place beyond the pole greasing, including temporary road closures. She also said the city “is not disclosing if/when the poles will be greased.”
Still, Philly’s climbers have remained determined and have generally found ways to get atop those poles regardless of how greasy things get. In short, Crisco didn’t stop them when it was used and maybe “biodegradable fluid solution” won’t, either.
That doesn’t surprise longtime Philly resident and sports fan Jimmy Moock, who nevertheless conceded he’s not one to climb any poles for fear of injuring himself.
As for those fans who do attempt to conquer the greasy poles, Moock said local celebrations tended to go in overdrive because of the blue-collar nature of the city. Plus, Moock noted that it’s rare for Philadelphia to have a championship team — for example, the Eagles have won only one Super Bowl previously — and that adds to the hysteria.
“Philadelphia sports fans have suffered through thick and thick,” said Moock.
Michael Huang, managing editor for sports of the Philadelphia Inquirer, seconded those thoughts. Philadelphia is “such an underdog city,” he said.
And climbing a pole is such a natural way to celebrate, Huang added: “It’s just something to say, ‘I’m on top of the world!’”
“‘It’s just something to say, “I’m on top of the world!”‘”
Pole climbing does occur in other places after a major victory, of course. Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas told MarketWatch that his city, which has seen hundreds of thousands of fans gather for previous victory celebrations for both the Chiefs and baseball’s Kansas City Royals, has likely had its share of climbers.
But Lucas said there’s no reason to grease the poles because K.C. fans are generally well-behaved.
“We don’t like any pole climbers, but usually they’re climbing responsibly,” he said.
Rob Wheat, a Kansas City resident and sports fan, said locals just know how to comport themselves, even during moments of great fanfare. He pointed to a common term used to describe their polite behavior.
“It’s a real thing called ‘Midwestern nice,’” Wheat said.
In Glendale, Ariz., the city that’s playing host to the Super Bowl, there doesn’t seem to be too much concern about any pole climbers, either. Derek Diesner, a spokesperson for the city, said local police will be monitoring all aspects of fan behavior and will respond accordingly.
“Our police will just be keeping an eye out for everything,” Diesner said.
Meanwhile, B&G Foods, the manufacturer of Crisco, appears to have accepted the fact it’s no longer the slick substance of choice to deter Philly pole climbers. So, the company now suggests other ways to make use of its product on game day, particularly in a recipe for a classic Philly sandwich.
“Philadelphia sports fans can use Crisco shortening instead of oil to cook peppers and onions for a delicious cheesesteak,” the company said in a statement to MarketWatch.
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