Eagles fan goes viral for showing up more than 15 hours before kickoff: 'It's like Christmas to me'

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Fans in Philadelphia are notorious for their diehard support of their teams, but one fan raised the bar early Thursday morning. 

More than 15 hours before the Philadelphia Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings in a primetime showdown, Gregg Matza was already first in line to set up his tailgate outside Lincoln Financial Field. 

Fans tailgate before the NFC championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (Hannah Beier/Getty Images)

"It’s like Christmas to me," he told KYW’s Tim Jimenez from just outside the empty stadium. "I can’t sleep, so I drop my girlfriend Maureen off, gassed up, iced up the beer and I’m here. And I’m staying all day. This is it."

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Matza said he got to the stadium at around 4:30 a.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. 

"This is what I do. I’m usually the first one down here," he told the outlet. "You go to sleep early. I went to bed early last night. You get up, and you know what you got."

Matza said he’ll be watching his beloved Eagles from the end zone. 

A Philadelphia Eagles fan holds a sign in the stands during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game at Lincoln Financial Field Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

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"Why wouldn’t you wanna be down here for a game like this," he added. "This is primetime. The whole world gets to see the Eagles play. So, let’s go."

Thursday night will be the Eagles' home opener after Sunday’s lackluster victory