Philly's Snowy Shenanigans: A Look Back at the City's Wildest Winter Moments
In preparation for the impending snowstorm, Philadelphians are bracing themselves for another winter wonderland of chaos. But before this weekend gets underway, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most unforgettable snow moments in the city's history.
First up, veteran FOX29 reporter Steve Keeley took a beating from a plow on live TV back in 2014. While reporting on a snowy storm on Route 40, a series of plows came barreling by behind him, sending a blast of snow straight into his backside. Keeley, known for his rugged demeanor, remained unfazed and continued with the broadcast – a testament to his professionalism.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Keeley that day. His colleagues in the studio were shrieking as he got pummeled by the plow, and at one point, he quipped, "That's the beauty of breaking news!" The incident even made its way onto YouTube, with Keeley chuckling about his newfound fame.
Then there was the infamous incident when former Philly Mayor Ed Rendell declared America a "nation of wusses" during a snowstorm in 2010. Frustrated by the NFL's decision to postpone an Eagles game due to weather conditions, Rendell let loose on a radio show, calling out the league for being too soft.
The rant became a rallying cry for Rendell's book, "A Nation of Wusses," which explored his views on America's leaders and their willingness to take risks. Love him or hate him, Rendell remains a beloved figure in Philly sports circles – and this snowstorm was the perfect catalyst for his famous diatribe.
In February 2010, SEPTA bus driver had a meltdown when passengers failed to pay their fares amidst the snowy chaos. "Hey! Y'all better pay!" he shouted, as people filed onto the bus without paying. The clip became an instant viral sensation and even made its way onto Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Last but not least, in November 2018, a camel named Einstein took over the roads of Sellersville. Ordered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to make an appearance at a performance at the Kimmel Center, Einstein's trailer got stuck in the snow on Route 309. The organization later explained that the driver had turned around due to the treacherous conditions and the camel's weight.
Einstein has since become somewhat of a celebrity, with his handler saying he's turned into a bit of a brat after all the attention. His cameo as the "snow camel" has cemented his place in Philly winter lore.
Finally, in March 2018, FOX29 reporter Lauren Johnson took one for the team when a kid drilled her in the face with a snowball while she was reporting on a snowy afternoon. Despite being struck directly in the face, Johnson remained a good sport about it – a testament to the city's resilient spirit.
As Philly prepares to take on this weekend's snowstorm, we can only hope that this one brings some fresh and unforgettable moments for our citizens to cherish.
In preparation for the impending snowstorm, Philadelphians are bracing themselves for another winter wonderland of chaos. But before this weekend gets underway, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most unforgettable snow moments in the city's history.
First up, veteran FOX29 reporter Steve Keeley took a beating from a plow on live TV back in 2014. While reporting on a snowy storm on Route 40, a series of plows came barreling by behind him, sending a blast of snow straight into his backside. Keeley, known for his rugged demeanor, remained unfazed and continued with the broadcast – a testament to his professionalism.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Keeley that day. His colleagues in the studio were shrieking as he got pummeled by the plow, and at one point, he quipped, "That's the beauty of breaking news!" The incident even made its way onto YouTube, with Keeley chuckling about his newfound fame.
Then there was the infamous incident when former Philly Mayor Ed Rendell declared America a "nation of wusses" during a snowstorm in 2010. Frustrated by the NFL's decision to postpone an Eagles game due to weather conditions, Rendell let loose on a radio show, calling out the league for being too soft.
The rant became a rallying cry for Rendell's book, "A Nation of Wusses," which explored his views on America's leaders and their willingness to take risks. Love him or hate him, Rendell remains a beloved figure in Philly sports circles – and this snowstorm was the perfect catalyst for his famous diatribe.
In February 2010, SEPTA bus driver had a meltdown when passengers failed to pay their fares amidst the snowy chaos. "Hey! Y'all better pay!" he shouted, as people filed onto the bus without paying. The clip became an instant viral sensation and even made its way onto Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Last but not least, in November 2018, a camel named Einstein took over the roads of Sellersville. Ordered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to make an appearance at a performance at the Kimmel Center, Einstein's trailer got stuck in the snow on Route 309. The organization later explained that the driver had turned around due to the treacherous conditions and the camel's weight.
Einstein has since become somewhat of a celebrity, with his handler saying he's turned into a bit of a brat after all the attention. His cameo as the "snow camel" has cemented his place in Philly winter lore.
Finally, in March 2018, FOX29 reporter Lauren Johnson took one for the team when a kid drilled her in the face with a snowball while she was reporting on a snowy afternoon. Despite being struck directly in the face, Johnson remained a good sport about it – a testament to the city's resilient spirit.
As Philly prepares to take on this weekend's snowstorm, we can only hope that this one brings some fresh and unforgettable moments for our citizens to cherish.
oh man, philly's winters are the real deal! i mean, who else gets hit with a plow on live tv? 
steve keeley's reaction was literally priceless. and ed rendell's "nation of wusses" rant... what can you even say about that one? 
love the fact that he turned it into a book. and those septa bus driver's meltdown? 
we've got snowball fights, camel sightings, and mayor rendell yelling at nfl execs... what more could you want from a snowstorm? 
anyway, here's hoping this one brings some crazy moments for the city.
omg did u know steve keeley got hit by a plow in 2014? lol what a pro he is! i'm dying over the fact that his colleagues were SHAKING while he just kept it together 
anyways, who else remembers septa driver yelling at ppl to pay their fares during the snowstorm in 2010? 
and btw, a camel on the roads of sellersville? 
and I'm dying over the camel Einstein making an appearance on route 309 in sellersville – who knew camels could be snow-day celebrities? 
and lauren johnson got hit with a snowball like girl bye though 
was a total boss move 
! And can we talk about Einstein the camel taking over Sellersville's roads in 2018? 
! But let's not forget about Steve Keeley getting hit by that plow on live TV in 2014 – only a pro would stay calm in the face of chaos 
#SnowMuchFun #PhillyWeather #CamelInvasion
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"hey y'all better pay" 
lol what a diva! but hey at least he made it go viral 
but seriously, i'm so down for another snowy weekend in philly! bring it on 
. Can't even get through a simple news report without someone getting hurt... remember Steve Keeley? dude got pummeled by a plow live on TV! what's the point of being a reporter if you can't even stay out of the way? 
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. But at the same time, it's kind of amazing how a little bit of crazy can bring people together 
. Guess that's just what Philly winters are all about 
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we should all take notes from her! 
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Einstein the camel, on the other hand, seems like more of a viral meme than an actual event...I mean, how often do camels get stuck in Philly roads?! 
but like wouldn't that just make things worse on the roads? idk about ed rendell though, "nation of wusses" sounds kinda harsh 
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