Fan Takes Matters Into His Own Hands After 'Counterfeit' Pro-Kamala Ads Use NFL Logo
A Philadelphia man could be seen pasting official statements from the Philadelphia Eagles that disavowed a series of pro-Kamala Harris ads that popped up across the city on Monday.
Early Labor Day morning, a series of pro-Kamala Harris ads that had been set up on bus stops across Philadelphia went viral on social media. The ads featured a digitally-generated photo of Vice President Harris in an Eagles helmet, complete with team colors and the official Eagles logo, alongside text referring to her as the, “Official Candidate Of The Philadelphia Eagles.”
The murals were complete with a link to PhiladelphiaEagles.com/vote, an official team page that provides resources for fans who wish to register to vote.
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Not long after the ads went viral on social media, the Philadelphia Eagles issued a statement referring to them as “counterfeit” and not linked to the team in any way. “We are aware counterfeit political ads are being circulated and are working with our advertising partner to have them removed,” the team announced in an X post.
On Monday night, Fox 29 Philadelphia reporter Steve Keeley encountered a man who was taking matters into his own hands. The man, who identified himself as “Joe,” could be seen pasting several photos of the team’s official statement over one of the counterfeit ads.
Just Now: @eagles fan Joe from South Philly, taking matters into his own hands. He went to Staples to make copies of the Eagles’ statement regarding what the team calls the “counterfeit political ads” on city bus shelters. And pasted them over the unauthorized ad. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/TQG9azwNKU
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) September 3, 2024
While the man initially opted not to answer questions, he eventually explained what he was doing when Keeley followed up.
“Well, this is a circumstance that’s very concerning to me, Steve, because whoever put this inside this case did several things. I’m a lifelong Philadelphia guy from South Philly. I love the Eagles, loyal to them to the end. I am a Republican, just to say that to you. But my concern here is that we’re not, is not that someone is expressing an opinion, which everyone is entitled to do, but this person is lying,” he explained.
The Philadelphia man went on to explain that he is, “very concerned about the fact that they’re spreading lies that the Philadelphia eagles endorsed Kamala Harris as a candidate for president of the United States.”
We all know Philadelphia is the battle ground for Pennsylvania. These people are the things that prevent uh… prevent honesty in the election process. I think that’s what we have to promote integrity of the process.”
LISTEN: @Eagles fan Joe from South Philly explains why he is out at bus shelter at 34th & Walnut, covering one of the what the team called “counterfeit political ads.” pic.twitter.com/jLys1DsKpZ
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) September 3, 2024
The Eagles have confirmed that they are “working hard” with their advertising partners to make sure the counterfeit ads are removed.
The fake murals were posted along several bus stops across Philadelphia, which are city property.
“We are aware that several of our bus shelters located in Philadelphia have been vandalized and that the paid advertising copy in each of those shelters has been replaced with unauthorized copy,” Intersection Media said in a statement to Fox 29.
“While our bus shelters have locks that typically prevent the installation of unaurthorized copy by non-Intersection staff, occasionally people find a way to unlock the ad box and insert unauthorized copy. The unauthorized copy in this case implies an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris by the Philadelphia Eagles. We note that the Eagles and Intersection had nothing to do with the creation or posting of this unauthorized copy and Intersection staff will be removing the ads as soon as possible.”