Nick Sirianni (Photo courtesy of Hardcore Italians).
Philadelphia Eagles Nick Sirianni is one of the few head coaches that can lead his team to the playoffs each year and the Super Bowl once and still draw as much ire as he does. He’s a unique guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, and that can be as derisive as it can be appealing. Ultimately, the man is in love with football like the rest of us. What can be so bad about that?
Nick Sirianni Rocks The Italian Flag
Last year, the NFL brought back their NFL Heritage Program in 2023. Coaches and players alike were encouraged to represent their cultures and heritage during weeks 7 and 8. It’s unclear if it’s occurring in 2024, but Robert Saleh did wear the Lebanese flag on his clothing in week 5 of the 2024 season. It doesn’t appear to be because of the program, but according to the NFL, they’re supportive of the flags this year as well.
Nick Sirianni said this about choosing to wear the Italian flag decal: “Obviously (my father’s family) coming over from Italy… We take a lot of pride in that as a family, from the food we eat to the family reunions we have to the talking with our hands a lot, all those different things. So, again, that’s one thing we can just show recognition to our ancestors.”
What sweet sentiment about his culture and heritage! We appreciate Sirianni honoring his Italian culture as well. Representation means everything, and we need to be able to see ourselves, all of us, as belonging in the NFL and elsewhere. Nick Sirianni is sending a message to many young people out there that they too can be a head coach in the NFL, and we are here for it!
Conclusion
Nick Sirianni is one of three Italian American NFL head coaches in the league today. He is joined by Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) and John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens). The head coach is the first of Italian heritage in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles. It is also of note that Sirianni brought Italian coach Vic Fangio on staff as a defensive coordinator in 2024. Fangio went to the Miami Dolphins in 2023 but was a consultant for the Eagles in 2022. We love to see it!
In the days of Vince Lombardi, being an Italian-American head coach of the NFL was a much more difficult task. Lombardi faced painful discrimination in society and in his role as he coached in the NFL in the 1950s and 1960s. He walked so that other men like Nick Sirianni could fly. It’s critical to remember where we were, where we are now, and where we are heading in the future. Italian-Americans have always been major contributors in the NFL, and we have to celebrate them and encourage them to continue contributing. Thank you for representing your culture and heritage with pride, Nick Sirriani!
