Empire State Building lights up for Eagles, Chiefs after wins
Share this @internewscast.com

The Empire State Building regularly changes its LED lights depending on the occasion. Most recently, it was for the victors of the AFC and NFC championship games.

New Yorkers and New York sports fans on social media were seeing red after the Empire State Building was lit in green and white on Sunday, Jan. 29, in honor of their football rivals. The colors were shown after the Philadelphia Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. 

The Philadelphia Eagles are a division rival of the New York Giants – and the Eagles beat the Giants earlier on Jan. 21 in a divisional round blowout. 

Giants safety Julian Love retweeted the Empire State Building account, writing: “What on Earth… Let me close these blinds.” A retweet from the New York Giants account said: “I’m just here for the comments.”

“For anyone who finds this as treacherous, traitorous, and unforgivable as we do – just pretend it’s green and white for #NewYorksStrongest. We take out the trash every day…and next year, that’ll include the Eagles,” New York’s sanitation department tweeted

Some wondered if the Empire State Building’s Twitter account was hacked. VERIFY looked into whether it’s normal for the Empire State Building to change its colors, even for New York City rivals. 

THE QUESTION

Has the Empire State Building changed colors for non-New York football teams before?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

This is true.

Yes, the Empire State Building has changed colors for non-New York football teams before. 

WHAT WE FOUND

Hours after the Empire State Building was lit for the Philadelphia Eagles, the building changed to red and white when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC title.

New York photographer Dan Martland also posted photos of each team’s colors. He told VERIFY he took the photos from across the Hudson River in New Jersey, so he wasn’t actually in the city to get a sense of the atmosphere around the building when the Eagles lights were shown. 

“But judging from my followers’ comments and seeing the backlash on Twitter… You can tell New Yorkers were not impressed,” Martland told VERIFY. 

The Empire State Building has been lighting up the New York skyline since 1976. Since then, it’s been tradition to change the colors of the lights to recognize important occasions, holidays, and organizations throughout the year, the building’s website says. In 2012, the building had the lighting upgraded and now it can display more than 16 million colors.   

These events include notable NFL wins. For example, after the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, the Empire State Building was a vibrant orange and blue.

The building has also been lit up for other occasions, both happy and sad. In 2022, it was red, white and blue on the Fourth of July. After Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, it was lit in purple and silver to celebrate her life. 

More from VERIFY: No, Damar Hamlin isn’t dead, as conspiracy theorists claim

The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More »

Follow Us

Want something VERIFIED?


Text: 202-410-8808

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Video shows Irvo Otieno pinned to floor before his death

DINWIDDIE, Va. – A large group of sheriff’s deputies and employees of…

Third deputy files lawsuit against Sheriff, first two lawsuits clear the first hurdle

BY JENNIFER CABRERA GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A third Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy,…

House GOP demands info from NY prosecutor about Trump case

The request suggested that Republicans intend to use the powers of their…

We Can’t Make Weapons Fast Enough ‘to Protect the United States or our Allies’ and Don’t Have Deterrence in Taiwan

On Monday’s broadcast of the Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” House…

Who is Alvin Bragg, DA leading Trump hush money investigation

() — Former President Donald Trump claims he will be arrested Tuesday.…

Money for child care would help growth – NewsNation

JOSH BOAK, Associated Press Updated: Mar 20, 2023 / 04:18 PM CDT…

Hillsborough County Sheriff Arrests 8 In ‘Operation Spring Cleaning’

Hillsborough County Operation Spring Cleaning (Source: HCSO) HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – During…

Officials responding to skydiving accident at Palatka Airport

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Units are responding to a skydiving accident at the…

Giovanni Pernice's real life from Strictly to world records and famous exes

The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer will be starring alongside judge Anton…

Trump indictment? Voters divided ahead of 2024 bid

PALM BEACH, Fla. () — Former President Donald Trump is bracing for…

Second-Grade Teacher In Florida Arrested After Asking Child For Underwear Pics, Spankings

Eddie Scott (Source: OPD) A second-grade elementary school teacher in Florida is…

Alabama derailed train lacked needed couplers

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – A Norfolk Southern train that derailed in Alabama earlier…