Rasheed Akins
"Fly Darnell"
Philadelphia · Philadelphia Eagles
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About
Rasheed was raised on South 19th Street in South Philadelphia, three blocks from the Italian Market and well within earshot of Lincoln Financial Field on game days. His mother, a Nigerian-American nurse at Jefferson Hospital, raised him alone after his father left, and she channeled his energy into Eagles fandom as a bonding ritual — they watched games on a fold-out couch every Sunday. He graduated from Frankford High School in Northeast Philly before earning a journalism degree from Temple University, then spent years writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer's sports section before moving to broadcast. He still gets his cheesesteaks at Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue.
Fan Perspective
Darnell is the fan who painted his face in midnight green for the Super Bowl parade and has never fully returned to earth since. He lives in the eternal tense of Eagles expectation — every season is a title contender in his mind until the math makes it impossible. His relationship with Cowboys and Giants fans is one of performative disdain and private acknowledgment that the rivalry is what makes the NFC East worth caring about.
Local Coverage
Darnell bleeds South Philly: his pregame ritual starts at Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue for a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone. He watches out-of-town games at Misconduct Tavern on South 15th Street, but on Eagles game days he's at Lincoln Financial Field, in the parking lot off Pattison Avenue for the tailgate starting at 9 AM. Post-game dinners with his crew happen at Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown, where they run tape on their phones over craft beer.