After 57 years of trying to earn the Lombardi trophy, the Philadelphia Eagles finally got it. And although some Philly fans are no longer around to experience it, their loved ones made sure they could celebrate in spirit.

Celebrating in Spirit

One man flew all the way up from Tampa to celebrate with others at the Super Bowl parade. He brought along his grandfather’s ashes with him to spread at the parade.

doesn’t get realer than scattering your grandfather’s ashes at the Eagles Super Bowl parade.

said they flew up from Tampa. pic.twitter.com/HPygzJahmD

— maurice (@tallmaurice) February 8, 2018

He wasn’t alone. Several others brought urns of their loved ones, so they could celebrate in spirit.

My uncle, who was also a father figure in my life, passed away a year and a half ago. Yesterday was his birthday and he was the biggest @Eagles fan. His brother is taking a small vial of his ashes to the #EaglesParade to be spread out as they follow along. I love and miss you.

— VinnyChev (@VinnyChev) February 8, 2018

The bag of Ashes of a TRUE @Eagles thrown on parade route is a total eagle fan move #eagles #EaglesParade not kidding

— Dawn Sweeney (@dsweeney4128) February 8, 2018

While some were spreading ashes at the parade, others took the time to celebrate the win by visiting the graves of their loved ones. They decorated the graves with Eagles memorabilia and newspapers of the win.

Eagles fan Michael McGettigan bought his father, who died more than 11 years ago, a paper to read this morning. pic.twitter.com/xOZOLrgiaq

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 5, 2018

This one is for you all!
RIP Poppy and Grandma Clark!
She passed away 66 days before the #SuperBowl #Eagles #flyeaglesfly????

Love you all! @Eagles @LFFStadium #SuperBowlChampions pic.twitter.com/6HYcc2wyU1

— Charlie Flowe (@DjFlowe) February 5, 2018

my Dad was a die hard,Eagles season ticket holder,he never got to see them in the Super Bowl,,today i went and sat with him and did a few shots with him and read him some newspaper articles #CheersDad ???? #FlyEaglesFly ???????? pic.twitter.com/OU0IzTwVoJ

— J.Yerk (@1yerky) February 5, 2018

For you Grandpa Frank. Thanks for making us all Eagles fans for life when you bought season tickets at Franklin Field all those years ago. This one is for you. Go Birds! pic.twitter.com/PIzokPgNkI

— Aubrey Strobel (@aubreystrobel) February 5, 2018

The Power of Sports

Sports can play a powerful role in shaping our relationships and how we connect with those around us. Think about a father introducing his son to his favorite baseball team, one that he had learned to love from his father years earlier. Or a husband and wife who have a tradition to tailgate with friends and cheer on their former college team. These are the ways sports build a camaraderie and sense of community among family, friends, and even strangers.

In an article about How Being a Sports Fan Makes You Happier and Healthier, Professor Alan Pringle told the Huffington Post sports can offer “three generations of a family a shared experience, shared language and shared emotion that is not found in too many other areas of life.” He also said that being a fan of a sport has a “deeply rooted heritage that connects you to others across time, transcending the barriers that divide people generationally.”

So for these Eagles fans, the Super Bowl was much more than just a game. It was an opportunity to feel that connection again with their loved ones who are no longer with us.