A tradition that is uniquely Auburn made its way to Philadelphia on Thursday night as Independence, one of the eagles that fly before Auburn home football games, circled Lincoln Financial Field.

An Auburn athletics department spokesperson confirmed this was Independence, better known as Indy, flying before the Eagles Thursday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Independence is a bald eagle who lives at Auburn’s Raptor Center, which trains the birds for their famous flight around Jordan-Hare Stadium. Independence is one of four eagles who currently live at the Raptor Center and have flown at Auburn games. The others are Nova (War Eagle VII), Spirit and Aurea (War Eagle VIII).

Spirit had once been the only eagle to fly in Jordan-Hare before her retirement in 2021. Indy debuted as Spirit retired. Aurea is a golden eagle who still flies before games, too.

Indy was also the eagle to fly at a baseball game in Plainsman Park during the 2023 season. That was the first time the tradition had come to a baseball game.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]