New Orleans police warn Eagles fans not to climb poles at Super Bowl
Philadelphia Eagles fans planning to make the trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl are being cautioned against climbing the city's light poles.
New Orleans police spokesperson Barry Fletcher issued a warning to Eagles faithful ahead of the big game, saying their tradition of pole climbing could have serious consequences.
"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," Fletcher wrote in an email to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Climbing on them risks toppling the light pole."
The city of Philadelphia has greased poles in the past as a preventative measure, but Fletcher didn't say whether New Orleans will do the same.
The warning comes after an Eagles fan died Tuesday from injuries he sustained after falling from a light pole while celebrating the team's NFC Championship win over the Washington Commanders. He's been identified as an 18-year-old Temple University student, according to ABC 6 Philadelphia.
The Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome.