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Philadelphia and the Flyers Have Provided a Wealth of Treasures For Fans

By Walt Gebelein

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 07: A general view before a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on March 07, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fans will be allowed at the arena for the first time in 362 days. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 07: A general view before a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on March 07, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fans will be allowed at the arena for the first time in 362 days. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Longtime Philadelphia Sports writer Les Bowen announced his retirement this week, and the city fanbase loses another legendary voice. Bowen was among the city’s embarrassment of riches of sports media that made Philly’s sports landscape so vibrant and rich.  Many younger readers may only know Bowen as the authoritative perspective covering the Eagles, but there was a time when Bowen covered the Flyers.

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, before the internet, smart phones and third rate bloggers, the newspapers were the best source of content for the teams we followed.  For me, Al Morganti and Les Bowen were the gatekeepers and guides to the world of the Flyers, allowing access through vivid perspectives and detailed stories. The writing, often excellent and sometimes great, created a strong bond between fans and the team.  As a kid without Prism, they were my lifeline to team, and their words were gospel.

Bowen is not alone as a titan. Al Morganti and, for a time, even Stephen A, Smith wrote about the Flyers. Gene Hart and Bob Taylor were legends in the broadcast booth. They were followed by recent retirees Doc Emerick and Bill Clement, legends in their own right. We are lucky to have Jim Jackson today and for the last twenty-five years. All of them are the bedrock of Flyers’ mythology and for many people the core of their connection to the team.

Compared to other fans bases we have been truly lucky to have these voices with us through our collective Flyers experience. It is something that we take for granted. Anyone else miss Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn?

Today’s digital media landscape allows for all the content a person can want and handle. It is everything I could have wanted as a fan, but it is another nail in the coffin of traditional media, and likely has diminished the importance of provincial icons such as Bowen. Bowen and his colleagues provided a vital service, and did it at the highest level, truly creating art. While today the beat reporter may be superfluous, it is sad to see a beautiful craft and its elegant fruits cast aside by the forward march of technology.

As Bowen retires, it affects me profoundly.  The nostalgia of my youth, great times with great friends talking about the Flyers based on pieces birthed by Bowen. A bit of sadness that those days are behind me, and that era, the golden age of sports writing is likely gone for good.

Mr. Bowen, thank you. I wish you the best in your next adventures, and hope you get all the joy and fulfillment that your work gave to your readers over these many decades.

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