Bold Strategy: New Orleans Police spokesman Barry Fletcher warns Eagles fans that climbing light poles is not only illegal, but unsafe

The New Orleans Police Department might want to rethink its approach to Super Bowl preparations because their message to Eagles fans feels like an open invitation: “Climbing light poles is illegal and unsafe.”

From the Inky: NOLA warns Eagles fans to stay off light poles:

“Regarding climbing street light poles, that is not only illegal (trespassing) but is unsafe as many of the street light poles in the French Quarter are quite old…climbing on them risks toppling the light pole.” – New Orleans Police Department spokesperson Barry Fletcher

Bold move. It’s like the New Orleans Police Department doesn’t understand how this works which is odd given the fact that that Mardi Gras is a citywide tradition in the Big Easy. Telling Eagles fans not to climb poles without even attempting to grease them is practically begging them to do it, right?

Here in Philly, climbing poles isn’t just a pastime during big wins—it’s a tradition. It’s how we celebrate the moments that matter, from Super Bowl trips to NFC Championship blowouts. Sure, the city tried Crisco and other deterrents in the past, but grease or no grease, Eagles fans found a way to ascend their throne (or light pole, or bus shelter, or mailbox).

So Why Not Grease the Poles for the Super Bowl?

What makes this even more baffling is that New Orleans greases the poles every year for Mardi Gras. It’s literally a tradition in the French Quarter, complete with the Royal Sonesta Hotel’s pole-greasing contest—a full-on event with costumes, music, and fanfare.

So why not extend the same courtesy to Eagles fans? If you can grease up the poles for drunk tourists throwing beads, you can grease them up for drunk Philly fans celebrating touchdowns. By not doing so, you’re essentially telling the most enthusiastic fanbase in football, “We’re not going to prepare for you.”

Bad move.

Philly fans live for moments like this, and if they can conquer Crisco-soaked poles on Broad Street, you better believe they’ll find a way to climb the “quite old” French Quarter poles too.

If the Poles Are Too Old, Maybe It’s Time for an Upgrade

Speaking of “quite old,” if your infrastructure can’t handle a few excited fans, maybe it’s time for some new poles. French Quarter poles are historic? Great. Reinforce them. Eagles fans need to climb poles like the air they breathe.

Nobody’s asking you to install steel beams fit for the NFL Combine, but if you’re hosting a Super Bowl, some upgrades might be in order. You can’t host an event of this magnitude and not be ready for fanbases like Eagles fans. Then you threaten their god given right to climb poles nearly two weeks before they arrive?

Wild.

Grease The Poles: A Tradition Unlike Any Other for Eagles Fans…

Here’s the thing: Climbing poles is part of the Philadelphia experience. It’s not about destruction or disrespect; it’s about celebrating together as a community.

It’s a goofy, harmless (most of the time) expression of joy that has become synonymous with big moments in Philly sports. To dismiss that as “illegal and unsafe” without offering a plan to accommodate it shows a lack of understanding about what makes fan culture so special.

New Orleans has a chance to embrace this moment and show hospitality to traveling fans. Instead, they’re treating Eagles fans like a problem to be managed, rather than part of the Super Bowl magic.

One Last Thought

If Philly fans climbing poles is the biggest problem New Orleans has to deal with on Super Bowl Sunday, they should consider themselves lucky. Until then, maybe they should consider greasing the poles—or better yet, reinforcing them. Because if/when the Birds win, those poles are going to get climbed by Eagles fans, whether you like it or not.

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