Flashback Friday: A Look Back at Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter

In this edition of ‘Flashback Friday’, we take a look back at the career of an Eagles legend. It’s Jeremiah Trotter, aka the ‘Axe Man’. 

Former Philadelphia Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter was many things as a player, including a fierce competitor and a man with a tremendous work ethic to match his play. Trotter played in the heyday of the Jim Johnson defense. Everyone on his side of the ball had to play on a elite level.

The way he handles his business and his personality would make him a favorite among Eagles fans.

Let’s look at the early years

Jeremiah Trotter’s Eagles journey started when he was drafted by the team in 1998 when he was drafted in the third round (72nd overall) out of the  Stephen F. Austin State University.

Trotter’s beginning with Philadelphia Eagles started off rocky as the young linebacker’s father, Myra Trotter, died just before he was about to hit his first NFL training camp. In his first season, Trotter played in eight games and had three tackles.

Over the course the next three seasons (1999-2001), Trotter became one of the fiercest players on the field for the Eagles. That earned him a spot on two Pro Bowl rosters (2000 & 2001), and he helped will his team to an NFC Championship Game appearance. The Eagles linebacker would also be named an All-Pro for the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Trotter’s first three NFL campaigns led to five interceptions (one he returned for a touchdown), 21 pass deflections ,four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine sacks and 357 tackles.

As the stats started to pile up, his relationship with his team began to deteriorate as the young linebacker would turn down a  five year, $20 million dollar contract in 2000.  Trotter was upset that team franchise tagged him in 2001, and he had no issues with expressing that anger with public shots at management and head coach Andy Reid.

The two could not reach a deal in 2002 and Trotter signed a $36 million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins.

The Washington Years

Trotter played two seasons with the Redskins, leading to two interceptions, 15 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks and 20 tackles over the course of 28 games. His second season in Washington concluded when he tore the ACL in his right knee.

Andy Reid, the man who Trotter had harbored anger at in Philly was one of the people to wish the linebacker well in his recovery with his injury.

The veteran linebacker was released by the Redskins in the summer of 2004, and as New York Times reporter Jere Longman stated, the theory was Trotter was never comfortable in D.C..

Here’s a quote from that piece:

"Trotter has since admitted, leaving was a mistake. He never felt happy in Washington, or comfortable in the Redskins’ more conservative defense."

The ‘Axe Man’ returns to Philly.

Trotter’s post-tackle celebration of motioning as though he was swinging an axe was a nod to his father, a man who earned his living in the wood chopping business, found his way back to Philly in 2004.

Reid and Trotter patched their relationship up as the veteran linebacker returned to the midnight green.  Longman wrote on Trotter’s feelings on that as well.

"“I’m not ashamed to say I made some bad decisions. I didn’t handle things the way I should have. I told him if I never see him or we never speak again, I just felt I needed to call him and tell him that.”"

Over the course of the next three seasons with Philly ( 2004-2006), Trotter would have two interceptions, 15 pass deflections, two sacks and 300 tackles.

Trotter’s dominant play earned him two pro bowl nods ( 2004 & 2005) and helped the Eagles earn a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX.

The Eagles would release the fan favorite in 2006 but he would return for one last ride in the 2009 season.

In 2016, the Eagles cemented Trotter’s place in Eagles History by welcoming him to the Eagles Hall of Fame.

The Axe Man loves Philly and this quote from the New York Times proves that.

"I’m just thankful that I spent this many years in Philadelphia. I truly believe that if you were to cut me, I’d bleed green."

If you asked a few Eagles fan for their opinion, it’s hard to imagine finding any of them that would disagree.