Chris Christie endured a controversial afternoon on Sunday when he was brutally harassed by Philadelphia Eagles fans before being accused of remaining silent as his friend was kicked out of their hospitality suite for displaying an American-Israeli flag.
Christie, who served as governor of New Jersey between 2010 and 2018, watched the NFC East showdown between the Eagles and his beloved Dallas Cowboys in a suite with George Norcross – New Jersey’s political heavyweight.
Before the game at Lincoln Financial Field had even started, Christie was taunted by Philadelphia fans for predicting the home team would lose 7-1 to their Texas rivals. The Eagles would eventually run out 28-23 winners.
During his Eagles Pregame Live show, host Ron Jaworski led Christie on camera to ask how he thought the game would go.
However, Eagles fans in the background made their feelings clear and vigorously booed Christie as he made his bold prediction.
Chris Christie (left) was brutally harassed by Philadelphia Eagles fans during a pre-game interview
An American-Israeli flag was unveiled behind Christie as he predicted his beloved Cowboys would win
Jaworski said, “You never know who’s going to come along. I’m calling one of our guests. He is booed quite loudly. Governor Chris Christie is here.
“We saw the governor walking through the parking lot. They love him here in Philadelphia. Wink, wink.”
Undaunted by the cheers, Christie joked about the “wonderful day the city of Philadelphia gave to welcome the Dallas Cowboys.”
Christie doubled down on his support for the Cowboys and then predicted that Mike McCarthy’s team would win.27-24′.
As Christie left the stage, Jaworski joked that the Republican would “probably be in Jerry Jones’ box” — the Cowboys’ owner and Christie’s friend.
But instead of sitting with the Cowboys owner, Christie actually sat in the same suite as George Norcross, the New Jersey political heavyweight with close ties to powerful Democrats.
But during the game, Norcross was kicked out of the stadium for flying a half-American/half-Israeli flag from the balcony of his suite.
Norcross was seen in a video posted to X being escorted from his suite in front of the stadiumSecurity guards took down the banner.
It turned out to be the same banner that was hoisted behind Christie during his TV appearance earlier in the day when he made his prediction.
Christie was accused of ‘keeping silent’ when George Norcross was evicted from their suite
Norcross (left) was escorted through security for flying a half-American/half-Israeli flag
The New Jersey political boss was in the same catering area as Christie during the match
New Jersey Globe reporter David Wildstein suggested the banner could possibly have come from Norcross himself, as he regularly hosts a tailgate before Eagles games.
Norcross, 67, was labeled New Jersey’s “most powerful unelected person” earlier this year and is often sought out for endorsements and fundraising by New Jersey Democrats.
Norcross was a close ally of Christie during his two terms as governor, helping him pass Republican legislation through a state House still dominated by Democrats.
Wildstein posted later: ‘Note: Chris Christie was a guest in George Norcross’ box. He said or did nothing as his friend was escorted out.”
Christie is a strong supporter of Israel and called on the US government to give it “everything it needs to take the actions it needs” in the country’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Norcross’s family’s support for Israel became evident when brother Donald Norcross was part of a Congressional delegation to Tel Aviv in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.
Donald also appeared in meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his support for the Jewish state.
Norcross has ties to many in politics, including former Governor Christie – pictured in 2013
“It was important for me and my colleagues to travel to Israel to demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship and our steadfast bipartisan, bicameral unity for Israel and the Jewish people,” the Congressman said.
“Israel is our closest and most important ally in the Middle East, and they need our support now more than ever.”
Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play, does not have a specific policy against the flag, but does have rules regarding signs and banners.
“Signs, banners or similar items that are obscene or indecent, unrelated to the event, potentially offensive to other patrons, that may block the views of other fans or that are otherwise considered dangerous or inappropriate by the Eagles are prohibited,” according to their 2014 guidelines.
“Lincoln Financial Field reserves the right to confiscate signs that are in violation of the stadium policy.’