Tag: Pole

PHILADELPHIA – A night of joyous celebrations took a terrifying turn that claimed the life of a young Eagles fan, according to sources.

What we know:

Philadelphia police confirmed to FOX 29’s Kelly Rule that an 18-year-old man landed on his head after falling from a pole near 15th and Market streets on Sunday night.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was put in very critical condition, according to authorities, who say he fell on his own.

On Tuesday night, sources told FOX 29 that the 18-year-old, a student at Temple University, had died. 

What they’re saying:

On Tuesday, Temple University released the following announcement to students and colleagues titled “Tragic News to Share:”

“It is with deep sadness that we write to share news of the death of first-year student Tyler Sabapathy. Over the weekend, Tyler sustained critical injuries and ultimately passed away this afternoon. 

The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic. There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing. Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved him.

A native of Toronto, Canada, Tyler was already a thriving student within Temple University’s College of Public Health, where he was majoring in exercise and sport science. As an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions, Tyler was fascinated with injury prevention, and this ultimately led him to pursue the major that he did. He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world.

As a member of the university’s club gymnastics team, Tyler displayed exceptional self-discipline and work ethic, spending countless hours a week training and honing his craft. He was loved by his teammates, friends and coaches here in Philadelphia. 

Temple University is committed to supporting our community during this time of unspeakable loss. We encourage students to seek available support services at Tuttleman Counseling Services, located at 1700 N. Broad St., which offers a range of resources. For more information on services and hours of operation, call 215-204-7276 or visit the Tuttleman Counseling Services website.  

For faculty and staff members, our employee assistance program offers support and resources 24/7 online or by calling 1-888-267-8126. Employees and students can also contact Temple’s Psychological Services Center at psc@temple.edu, or 215-204-7100. 

Once again, we extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to those closest to Tyler, especially his parents and siblings. He will be deeply missed.”

Dig deeper:

Temple University freshman students and teammates of 18-year-old Tyler Sabapathy are devastated, remembering him as a beloved student and talented athlete.

Junior Robert Stewart says he’s cherishing the moments he had with him, as he supervises the Men’s Gymnastics Team practices.

“To hear that of all sports, but of all people of that to happen to, is Tyler, is actually pretty upsetting. It’s shocking. It’s hard to honestly comprehend,” says Stewart. “He was a beautiful student, he was amazing, he was nice, he was sweet, he was kind.’

Students tell FOX 29 they are feeling differently about the celebrations now, but want some of the negative feedback on social media to stop.

“It’s the culture of the city so please don’t make a mockery of it. It was an accident,” says Stewart.

Ray Epstein, Temple’s student body president, says the tragedy should be used as a message of caution.

“We can celebrate easily and happily without necessarily continuing this tradition,” she says. “As much as it’s been something that’s been positive for people, this is a sign that it needs to come to an end, and it’s nobody’s fault because people were participating in a long-held culture, but we need to disrupt it.”

A spokesperson for Temple University said they sent out the following message to students before the NFC Championship game, and will be sending out similar messaging before the Super Bowl.

Dear Temple University Students,

This Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game for the chance to compete in Super Bowl LIX. The excitement is palpable across the city, surrounding counties, and beyond!

While such moments unite fans in celebration, history has shown that post-game festivities can sometimes lead to destructive or unsafe behavior. At Temple University, your safety and the well-being of our community remain our top priorities. We ask that all students keep the following in mind:

• Stay Responsible: Acts of vandalism, refusal to disperse, or destruction of property could result in both criminal charges and university disciplinary action. Sanctions may include fines or even immediate suspension. Please note that surveillance will be increased both on campus and in the city during the game. 
• Respect Our Community: Temple takes pride in fostering strong relationships with our neighbors. Celebrations that damage property or disrupt our community will not be tolerated. 
• Celebrate Safely: If the Eagles win, the city and state will coordinate official celebrations on a designated day, ensuring plenty of opportunities to revel responsibly. 
• Lead by Example: As members of the Temple community, you are leaders. Let’s show what it means to celebrate with spirit and respect.

We encourage everyone to play a role in keeping this moment memorable for all the right reasons. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students or Campus Safety Services.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to the Temple community. Let’s make this a historic and joyous time—Go Birds!

The backstory:

Sabapathy was one of many to climb poles across the city as hundreds of Eagles fans gathered to celebrate the team’s championship win against the Commanders.

The poles are typically greased by the city prior to big sports games in an effort to deter climbing, but many fans over the years have made it to the top regardless.

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