The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles applied for a “Philly Special” trademark Thursday in reference to the trick play that earned the team a crucial touchdown in the championship game against the New England Patriots on Feb. 4.
While the team who executed the play might seem to have the most claim to the trademark, the Eagles are actually eighth in line to apply for the trademark, ESPN reported. Individuals in Maryland, Pennsylvana, New Jersey, and Florida, as well as the Yuengling brewing company based in Pennsylvania, all have filed for the rights to the now-famous phrase.
According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben, it will take four months for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to sort through the many filings and another eight months to decide whether the name of a play can even be trademarked in this case, ESPN reported. One advantage the Eagles have besides being the organization referred to in the title is that they already used the "Philly Special" phrase on shirts that were sold to fans days after the Super Bowl win.
It is rare for a sports play to be trademarked, although the Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris, now in the Hall of Fame, owns the phrase “Franco’s Immaculate Reception,” a name referring to his famous 1972 catch in an AFC divisional playoff win against the Oakland Raiders.
Case Keenum, one of three players who carried out the now-famous Philly Special, also has applied to trademark the phrase, but a source told ESPN he only intends to use it if he remains an Eagle; he's slated to become a free agent next month at the end of his contract.
The play now called the Philly Special occurred when running back Corey Clement got the ball in a snap, then pitched it to tight end Trey Burton, who passed it to quarterback Nick Foles in the end zone for a touchdown.
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