The Soul Release Championship Apparel (Reminder)

The Philadelphia Soul, 2008 Arena football ball club Champions, have released new apparel reminding the city that they were the first team to win a title in the past 25 years. T-shirts, sweat-shirts, dog shirts, shirt shirts, and Zubaz pants are available at cafe-press for $20, each adorned with the playful catch phrase "Uh... We Already Has?" All proceeds from sales will be donated to the H.A.A. or "Hair Across Africa" organization, a group created by Soul owner and musician Jon Bon Jovi. H.A.A. helps malnourished and dying African children get really amazing 80's hair cuts.

Philadelphia Soul Celebrates Championship With A Group Of Persons, Vehicles, Or Objects Moving Along In An Orderly, Formal Manner

Philadelphia has not seen a championship parade since the 76ers won the NBA title in 1983. But after the Philadelphia Soul captured the Arena League Championship at Arena Bowl XXII it was assumed by many the city would once again have a ticker-tape parade down Broad Street. Yea, not so much.

In lieu of a "parade," the team instead had a "procession" from 6th and Market to Dilworth Plaza at 16th St. and JFK Boulevard and proclaimed today Philadelphia Soul Day. The events were lost on many Philadelphia residents who witnessed the parade procession as they walked down Market Street.

"I don't even know what a Philadelphia Soul is," said Sharif Taylor of Mount Airy, on his way to Suburban Station. "Philadelphia Soul Day? I don't know about that, it's just Thursday for me."

Turnout along the parade procession route was sparse although some Soul faithful did show up for the parade's procession's end at Dilworth Plaza. Margaret Collins has been following the Soul since they began play in 2004 and said there was no way she would miss this event.

"I don't know a thing about football, who cares really, but I've been Jon Bon Jovi's biggest fan since 1982," she said. "He even signed my breast, look I got it tattooed."

Although it was rumored Bon Jovi would perform at today's event, the co-owner of the team did not give the tens of people in attendance a concert. Other things that did not happen include people caring and people saying "this is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me."

Billy Penn/the Philly Curse WANTED Dead or Alive

On the road to the world series in 1993, the Phillies fitted the William Penn statue atop City Hall with an oversized red Phillies cap. In 1997, the Flyers adorned Penn with an oversized orange away hockey jersey. Both resulted in heartbreaking loses and neither were successful in ending the "philly curse". In the 2001 NBA finals and the 2005 Superbowl, the Sixers and Eagles respectively left the statue untouched. The result: still no championship. This Sunday, the San Jose Sabrecats (13-5) and your very own Philadelphia Soul (15-3) will meet for Arena Bowl XXII in New Orleans. When asked if he was nervous about combating not only San Jose but also the supernatural, Soul co-owner and Jersey native rocker Jon Bon Jovi said, "No... I have a secret weapon."

This morning, the William Penn statue atop City Hall has been covered in an enormous replica of Bon Jovi's fashionable '80s performing attire. Upon viewing the statue, Mel Gross, a Soul season ticket holder from Strawberry Mansion stated, "I cannot believe he actualy wore that. But it worked for him then and hopefully it will work for me and the Soul fans this weekend." 

Ron Jaworski, the more football oriented half of the Soul ownership, feels he owes the fans of Philadelphia a championship after quarterbacking the Eagles to a loss in Super Bowl XV. But does he think an Arena Football championship constitutes an end to the curse? "Of course it would. Arena Football is not a fad and the strong fan base here in Philadelphia proves that." 

Bon Jovi added, "A championship is a championship, and we're here to make sure that the people of this city get their parade."

"The William Penn Curse" began in March of 1987 with the completion of One Liberty Place in Center City. The new skyscraper exceeded the height of City Hall, atop which the Penn statue resides. Philadelphia has since failed to win a sports championship.

The Soul are making their first ever ArenaBowl appearance this Sunday, July 27 at 3 pm on ESPN and ABC in HD.