No!

I did not wait 25 years, watch another city lift the championship trophy almost 100 times, and suffer through a Jim McMahon/Jeff Kemp/Pat Ryan/Brad Goebel Eagles team to have an Arena Football League team be the ones who get the glory for finally bringing a championship to this city.

So I better not see a parade down Broad street next week with the city painted teal and black, or have Benjamin Franklin Parkway turned in Matt D’Orazio Way. And while team co-owner John Bon Jovi can throw a free concert if he wants to, do not dare deck out the Billy Penn statue in 80s era Bon Jovi attire.

Let’s take this for what it is: a minor league team won a championship - something that’s been done in this city many times before. In hockey the Phantoms have won two Calder Cups. In indoor soccer the Kixx have won two MISL championships (most recently last year). And in lacrosse the Wings have one six championships, while the Barrage have won three. Yet I don’t recall seeing any of these championships featured on SportsNite on Comcast SportsNet. And why is that? Because they’re not major sports.

So while over the next day or so you’ll read about how this is Philadelphia’s first championship in 25 years, or that the curse is over, or that Arena Football is a “legitimate sport,” know that this is people grasping at straws. Repeat after me. “This. Doesn’t. Count.”

But hey congrats Philadelphia Soul on winning your championship, just don’t try telling me it means anything. Because until the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies or Sixers bring a championship to the city the truth is Billy Penn is still standing on his perch above city hall putting the kibosh on our fun.