‘Dream Come True’: Shipley on Unforgettable Day, Chance to Play in Super Bowl
By: Robert MacRae January 27, 2025

Sunday was certainly a special day for Will Shipley – one he will never forget.

The Philadelphia Eagles rookie and former Clemson star shined bright during the Eagles’ 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.

Now, Shipley is headed to the Super Bowl in his first NFL campaign, and he spoke about his emotions as he and the Eagles get set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9.

“It’s crazy. So many emotions come with it,” Shipley said in an interview Monday on Good Morning America.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I knew what football was. So, to actually be here and to be going down to New Orleans here in a couple weeks and having the opportunity to do so, it’s unbelievable.”

Shipley’s performance Sunday against the Commanders was superb, as he tallied 165 all-purpose yards, two tackles, a forced fumble and a touchdown.

Per Ross Taylor, Clemson Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communications, Shipley became the only player since 2000 to record both a rushing touchdown and a forced fumble in an NFL playoff game.

Shipley’s touchdown – the first of his NFL career – came on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter that allowed the Eagles to set an NFC Championship Game record with 55 points. Shipley finished with four carries for 77 yards, including a 57-yard run on his second carry. That run set up his own touchdown, and he also had a 16-yard run on the drive.

“It’s just a dream come true,” Shipley said of scoring his first NFL touchdown. “And to do it in the NFC Championship, just with my teammates and guys that I love, and you know, you see Saquon (Barkley) right there, come grab me and celebrate.

“That’s someone I look up to, someone that has taken me under his wing since I got drafted to this organization. And just couldn’t be more thankful, couldn’t be more blessed. Just to be able to share that with my teammates and my coaches, my friends and family who were able to come and watch the game, is a special moment – one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Earlier in the game, with less than two minutes remaining before halftime, Shipley came up big by forcing a fumble on an Commanders kickoff return. Shipley knocked the ball loose from Jeremy McNichols, and the forced fumble eventually led to an Eagles touchdown that extended their lead to 27-12 with 39 seconds left in the second quarter.

“It was an awesome opportunity,” Shipley said of his forced fumble. “We take a lot of pride in special teams. … To be honest with you, I was just trying to get a hat on him, get a shoulder pad on him, and just try to get him down or slow him down in any way. It just ended up working out where the shoulder pad went right on the football, and it came loose.

“I felt it like hit my leg, so I was looking down trying to grab it and get it, but it got kicked backwards. And Kenny Gainwell, a teammate of mine, also in the running back room with us, was able to pick it up and we were able to score again before halftime and then get the ball after half. So, I think it kind of gave us that momentum back and gave us the ability to carry it into the second half.”

Last April, Shipley was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round (127th overall pick) of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now, Shipley’s rookie season will culminate with a trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, and he’s stoked about the opportunity to play in The Big Game.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “As I mentioned before, it being a dream of mine since I started playing ball. And now, 15 years later, I’m getting the opportunity to go out there and actually play in a Super Bowl – and my rookie year. So, I’m still kind of taking it all in and letting the emotions come in. But I mean, I’m so blessed, and I can’t wait to go get one more with the guys, compete with my teammates and just go out there and have fun, too.”

–Photo courtesy Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images