"What is this garbage?", "Treason" - New Yorkers lash out at Empire State Building for honoring Eagles' NFC championship win

The Philadelphia Eagles seem to have soared all the way to New York and landed atop the Empire State Building. After demolishing the San Francisco 49ers 31-7, the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl. But for some reason, the emblematic New York city skyscraper seemed rather too excited by their win.

They were decked out in green and white, congratulating Philadelphia on the win. Not only is it surprising given the history between the cities, even when it comes to just football, there is no love lost between them. The Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants are in the same NFC East division in the NFL and share a heated rivalry. The Eagles even dumped the Giants out of the NFC Divisional round just last week by blowing them out.

So for the Empire State Building to rub salt into those wounds was unprecedented. Fans from New York and elsewhere were quick to remind them of that on Twitter as well.

Has the Empire State Building honored other teams before?

Despite their latest gesture having New Yorkers fuming, this was not too much out of character for the Empire State Building. Although they are an iconic New York landmark, they believe in representing the entirety of the USA.

This is not the first time they are honoring the Philadelphia Eagles. The last time the Eagles won their Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, they lit up in both their colors after the championship games. It caused no end of consternation even then as they celebrated two of New York's biggest rivals as cities and football teams. The New England Patriots are AFC East division rivals to the New York Jets, just like Philadelphia are to the Giants in the NFC East.

Ultimately, therefore, this is a tradition for the Empire State Building irrespective of whichever team makes it to the Super Bowl. However, we understand the frustration of the New Yorkers.

While many were frustrated by the turn of events, some took to humor to relieve their frustration. Other citizens of New York might follow this as well. One fan surmised that the reasons they wanted to bust out the green and white lights had nothing to do with the Eagles, but because they got tired of the New York Jets ever making it to the Super Bowl again.

Now that is a theory we can certainly sympathize with. Whatever the case, the Empire State Building seems to be trolling its cohabitants in New York today, whether intentionally or unintentionally.