Joseph Santoliquito

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter based in the Philadelphia area who has written feature stories for SI.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, MLB.com, Deadspin and The Philadelphia Daily News. In 2006, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for a special project piece for ESPN.com called “Love at First Beep.” He is most noted for his award-winning ESPN.com feature on high school wrestler A.J. Detwiler in February 2006, which appeared on SportsCenter. In 2015, he was elected president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.

February 5, 2018

Eagles

Doug Pederson puts on coaching clinic against the master in Super Bowl LII

by Joseph Santoliquito

“It’s why we love playing for Doug,” Eagles’ All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson said. “We believe in what Doug calls and we love the fact he believes in us to execute the plays. When you have that kind of mutual trust in one another, it’s tough to stop.”

February 3, 2018

Eagles

After missing Super Bowl LI, Gronkowski wasn't letting anything get in his way this time around

by Joseph Santoliquito

MINNEAPOLIS — The only thing missing is the green skin. That’s the first thought that may come to mind if you stand close enough to New England Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski, who’s all of 6-foot-6, and weighs all of his listed 265 pounds. The second thought is that human beings aren’t supposed to be built this way, let alone run, and catch, and have Gronkowski’s agility.

February 2, 2018

Eagles

A year ago, anxiety might've kept Eagles' Brandon Brooks out of Super Bowl – but not now

by Joseph Santoliquito

MINNEAPOLIS — As the procession of inquisitors began to thin at the Super Bowl LII final media day on Thursday, Eagles’ Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks had a chance to openly reflect on something that crossed his mind.

February 2, 2018

Eagles

Patriots' offensive line knows it will have its hands full making sure 'No. 12 is upright'

by Joseph Santoliquito

MINNEAPOLIS – They all seemed robotic, and as if scripted, programmed to do and say the same things. Rinse, repeat, and say it again. The New England Patriots' offensive line was an engaging, genial group on the final Super Bowl LII media day on Thursday - all espousing the greatness of the Eagles' defensive front.

February 2, 2018

Eagles

After trade from Eagles, Eric Rowe eyes second Super Bowl ring

by Joseph Santoliquito

On an off-day before last season, Eagles’ executive vice president Howie Roseman poked his head into the defensive backs’ meeting room and asked Eric Rowe if he could come with him. The summons had an ominous tone — and Rowe, the Eagles’ 2015 second-round draft pick, knew it.

February 2, 2018

Eagles

Patriots' WR Chris Hogan plays in the memory of an ardent Eagles' fan

by Joseph Santoliquito

MINNEAPOLIS – Chris Hogan was joking that some mysterious force may yank down his arms every time he tries to make a catch on Sunday in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. The New England Patriots' wide receiver will be wearing fluorescent green silicone bracelets on both wrists as he does every game in the memory of Nick "Head" Colleluori and the charity named after him, the HEADstrong Foundation.

February 1, 2018

Eagles

Patriots DC Matt Patricia set to match wits with Doug Pederson

by Joseph Santoliquito

The omnipresent No. 2 pencil dangled behind his right ear, poking out amid a forest of black curls that spread out underneath what looked like a beanie. Matt Patricia is a round, furry bear of a man with a pleasant disposition and a calculator for a brain.

February 1, 2018

Eagles

In Minnesota mega-mall, Eagles gear is relegated to the back of the shelves

by Joseph Santoliquito

MINNEAPOLIS — The Mall of America is a wonderful place, especially if you’re a sports fanatic junkie who’s heavily into jerseys, caps, or any kind of sports collectible. There are Minnesota themed memorabilia shops, filled with rarities like sweet, old-school Minnesota North Stars’ and Hartford Whalers’ jerseys and old-school NFL jerseys, with the fluorescent orange John Elway No. 7.

January 30, 2018

Hockey

Former La Salle hockey player gets shot to represent U.S. at Winter Olympics

by Joseph Santoliquito

No one will ever accuse the Philadelphia area as being a hockey hot bed. One look down the 2018 United States Olympic ice hockey team’s roster may challenge that.

January 26, 2018

Flyers

After dreadful start to season, Flyers look like playoff team heading into All-Star break

by Joseph Santoliquito

A little over a month ago there seemed to be no hope. The Flyers were among the NHL’s worst teams. They had lost 10-straight games. They had been outscored 6-1 in the last two games of that horrid stretch. Nothing seemed to be working, other than the solid goaltending of Brian Elliott and the work being done by the first line of Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux.