Eagles Vs. Patriots: Notable Celebrities Choose Sides

PHILADELPHIA, PA — It seems, sometimes, like the whole world is rooting for the Eagles in the 2018 Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots are, after all, the hated empire, the perennial contenders, a dominant organization that has won five Super Bowl rings under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Along the way, they've alienated fans from other cities by pure virtue of their success, dominating the AFC even in many of the years they haven't won the Super Bowl. Scandals like Deflategate haven't done much for their reputation, either.

But in the world of celebrities, the Patriots and Eagles match up well. Numerous luminaries from the worlds of sports, music, broadcasting, politics, Hollywood, and more have tossed their hats in the corners of either the Eagles or the Patriots. Here's a quick run down on some of the expected - and perhaps unexpected - Super Bowl fans.

>>Multimillion Dollar Bet Placed On Eagles To Win Super Bowl...But By Who?

Eagles

Athletes: Mike Trout, Joel Embiid, Kobe Bryant

Baseball All-Star Mike Trout (Millville, NJ) and all-time great basketball player Kobe Bryant (Lower Merion) both grew up as Eagles fans, and have since been vocal in their support for the Birds. Trout has gone hunting with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, while Bryant routinely posts images on social media sporting Eagles jerseys. 76ers All-Star starter Joel Embiid, meanwhile, is said to be looking to attend the Super Bowl.

TV Personalities: Jake Tapper

CNN analyst Jake Tapper attended the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field with his father. A Queen Village native, Tapper's father was a professor at Jefferson and pediatric doctor in south Philadelphia.

Actors: Kevin Hart, Will Smith, Bradley Cooper, Sylvester Stallone

Hart, Smith, and Cooper all grew up in the Philadelphia area; Cooper and Stallone have each starred in iconic movies centered on Philadelphia sports. Hart performed stand-up at Lincoln Financial Field and is often seen courtside at 76ers games. Between them they've starred in Philly-centric works ranging from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" to "Rocky" to "Silver Linings Playbook." And each is an avowed Birds fan.

Musicians: Pink, Questlove, Meek Mill

Bucks County native Pink is performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl this year, and she can't believe her good fortune. "I'm singing the national and the Eagles are playing!? Is this for real?!" she tweeted after Sunday's game. Questlove has been similarly excited, and his drumset even features a soaring green Eagle. Meek Mill's music, meanwhile, served as pump up jams for the team before the NFC Championship. The currently imprisoned rapper said it "lifted my spirit."

Patriots

Politicians: President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States is a big Patriots fan. He holds a close relationship with Pats owner Robert Kraft, and has taken to Twitter to congratulate the team on numerous victories over the years. Tom Brady also very publicly endorsed Trump during his campaign, wearing a "Make America Great Again Hat."

Athletes: Isaiah Thomas, Paul Pierce, David Ortiz

Former Boston Celtics stars Isaiah Thomas and Paul Pierce have shown loyalty to their old city's gridiron franchise, both recently and in the past. Retired Red Sox star David Ortiz, meanwhile, always rooted for the Pats, and drew media attention for his enthusiastic celebration after the Patriots stormed back from a massive deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl.

Actors: Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon

Affleck and Damon were childhood friends, and grew up rooting for Boston sports teams, including the Patriots. Their affinity has grown with their friendship, and the pair are friends with Brady, even teaming up for charity work in the past. Mark Wahlberg, despite rooting for the Eagles in the NFC Championship and starring as Eagle Vince Papale in the film "Invincible," is a huge Patriots fan, and has predicted their victory in the Super Bowl.

Musicians: Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi was on field with the Patriots after the won the AFC Championship this past Sunday, and photographs captured him high-fiving Belichick moments after the game ended. John, meanwhile, is close friends with owner Kraft, and even performed privately for him in the past.

AP Photo/Chris Szagola and Patch file photo