The NHL has seen its fair share of pop culture references, from Cameron’s Gordie Howe jersey in Ferris Buehller’s Day Off to the underdressed title character in Happy Gilmore. However, the Flyers seem to have made their mark a little more so than other franchises.
Philadelphia is home to prominent celebrities and Hollywood personalities who make no secrets about their professional sports allegiances, notably Will Smith, Tina Fey, and Bradley Cooper.
Other stars like David Boreanaz, lead actor in the tv show Bones, have formed their own characters with nuggets of Flyers fandom. The HBO series Entourage also featured a Daniel Carcillo Flyers jersey framed in the office of Scott Caan’s character.
Singer/filmmaker Rob Zombie even had a plan to make a movie about the Broad Street Bullies era, but his project ultimately never materialized.
However, the best five references to the Flyers in pop culture set themselves apart. They contain significant characterization of the fans/players portrayed in the respective tv shows and movies. They authentically represent elements of the the city of Philadelphia, the fan base, and the franchise itself.