A freshman male gymnast at Temple University died Tuesday from injuries he sustained after falling off a light pole in Philadelphia while celebrating the Eagles’ NFL victory on Sunday.

The Eagles punched their ticket to the Feb. 9 Super Bowl after winning the NFC title at home against the Washington Commanders. Crowds gathered in Philadelphia and climbed poles to celebrate, one of whom was Toronto native Tyler Sabapathy, 18. 

Mr. Sabapathy sustained critical injuries from the fall, Temple President John Fry said in a release. Specifically, Mr. Sabapathy suffered a brain injury, according to Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV.

“As a member of the university’s club gymnastics team, Tyler displayed exceptional self-discipline and work ethic, spending countless hours a week training and honing his craft. He was loved by his teammates, friends and coaches here in Philadelphia,” Mr. Fry wrote.

Philadelphia officials haven’t disclosed whether the poles across the city were greased Sunday, according to ESPN. The Philadelphia Police Department had a briefing Tuesday to discuss tactics for dealing with the next celebration by the city’s sports fans, WPVI reported.

City officials greased the poles in the past, including ahead of the Eagles’ victory over the New England Patriots in the 2018 Super Bowl, though fans were able to clamber up them anyway, according to the Daily Mail.

Wary of possible pole climbing by visiting Eagles fans if the team wins the NFL title game in New Orleans, police there have issued their own warnings.

“Regarding climbing street light poles, that is not only illegal (trespassing) but is unsafe as many of the street light poles in the French Quarter are quite old. Climbing on them risks toppling the light pole,” New Orleans Police Department spokesman Barry Fletcher told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Pole-climbing can also result in an offender being criminally charged and having to pay for the pole’s damage.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.