ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Before the NFL's Opening Night, Eagles owner Jeff Lurie took a brief break to get away from all the Super Bowl craziness. He went to go see a movie.
He went to see "Molly's Game," a movie based on the life of Molly Bloom, a world-class skier who ran high-stakes poker games full of celebrities. She also happens to be the sister of former Eagles draft pick Jeremy Bloom.
"It's an amazing story of Molly Bloom," Lurie said. "Just happened to do that as a way to get away. Because when I get up it's very intense and it lasts. I don't let go of it. I embrace it."
Lurie, 66, is embracing everything about the Eagles' improbable run to Super Bowl LII. He described his emotions this week as "focused" and "intense." After owning the team for 23 years, Lurie is desperate to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy now more than ever.
During Monday's media night, Lurie admitted winning the Super Bowl with this specific team, after all it's overcome, would mean even more.
"It would," he said. "It would mean everything to win no matter what. But to win this way, I just think it would be a great message to the world that it's not always on paper. You can overcome so much and succeed in life. This is the most resilient group of human beings I've ever watched or been a part of. I feel like that's a quality that really is incredible to have."
Lurie said it was tough to watch when Carson Wentz went down on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles, but he was always confident in Nick Foles. It's why they allocated so much money to that position in the offseason.
Between eating some of Chase Daniel's contract and signing Foles, Lurie said the team had about $12 million invested in that backup job this season. In the offseason, Howie Roseman called Lurie with that proposition to make sure the owner wouldn't have a problem with it. Lurie said they saw the situation the same way and he wanted to get Foles.
"He's a big-time, big-game player," Lurie said. "That's Nick."
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As Lurie talked to a circling group of reporters, he was smack dab in the middle of a wild scene at Xcel Energy Center, the home of the Minnesota Wild. Fans watched as players and coaches were interviews by reporters and "reporters" down below. The whole thing is really just one big distraction.
Is he worried about his team getting caught up in the distractions?
"I would be shocked if they did," Lurie answered. "They are so focused. It's the most together group of athletes I've ever come across in my 23 years of owning the team. They trust each other, they're focused on every play, every practice, every film session. They are so down to earth and selfless. I just don't think there's any chance of that happening."
It's clear what Lurie thinks of this team. It's a special group to him. That's probably why his players were able to catch him on cell phone videos dancing with the team after winning the NFC Championship Game. After a few players danced in the circle, Lurie jumped in himself. His moves were ... just OK.
Has he been practicing?
"I haven't," he said. "They have to be impromptu or they're not real."
