Nick Foles tells Doug Pederson’s story during Philadelphia Eagles retirement press conference

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Nick Foles will always be a part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ history for winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 2018 against the New England Patriots.

The “Philly Special” – the play in which Foles scored a touchdown on a pass from backup tight end Trey Burton – is forever etched in Eagles history.

However, Foles believes this game would not have happened if it weren’t for the short-handedness of Doug Pederson ahead of the 2012 NFL Draft.

During his retirement press conference Monday night before the Eagles’ game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field, Foles told a story about how Pederson had coached with him at his alma mater, Westlake High School.

“I’ll never forget pulling into the parking lot and seeing Doug sitting in his car. I knocked on his window and said, ‘Hey, I’m Nick Foles, you’re here to work out with me,'” Foles said.

At the time of the workout, Pederson was the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach under former head coach Andy Reid. Pederson had Foles throw in the wind on a cold, rainy day in Austin, Texas, with a bit of sleet, according to the now-retired player.

One time, Foles said, Pederson had him throw a “divide” route about 65 yards into the wind. Foles said he didn’t know the route at the time, but it eventually became his favorite route to throw the ball to former Birds speedster DeSean Jackson.

The first time, Foles said, the throw was caught in the wind and landed 10 yards in front of Pederson.

“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I’m done. It’s over,'” Foles said.

But Pederson offered him another shot and Foles made sure he didn’t miss. The throw landed right in Pederson’s hands from about 65 yards out. A few days later, Foles said, the team brought him to Philly for a workout, which led to the Eagles drafting him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

“I have to believe that moment with Doug, when I played for Doug and he was my quarterback coach, and my comeback as a quarterback in 2017 and 2018, culminated in me going up to him in a timeout on fourth-and-1 in the Super Bowl and asking, ‘Do you want Philly Philly?'” Foles said. “For me, that was that culmination of life, that culmination of events all the way back to Westlake High School that made Doug stop and say, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ And when I look back on my career, that moment, it just shows that the relationships you make and how you make them and how you continue the journey is so special. And that’s why this game is so special to me. I know it’s special for the city, I know it’s special for the Eagles. But that moment with Doug was really incredible.”

In addition to Pederson, Foles thanked his family, teammates and other members of the Eagles organization, including owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman, during his retirement press conference.

Foles also thanked Reid and even former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, who traded him to the St. Louis Rams in 2015 in exchange for Sam Bradford.

“Without those moments in St. Louis when Chip gave me away, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we accomplished in ’17,” Foles said. “I wouldn’t have been able to step in with my whole heart and play the game I played with my teammates.”

Foles played twice for the Eagles in his 11-year NFL career, from 2012 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018. He also played for the Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts.

But Foles never managed to recreate the magic he had shown in Philadelphia at other stops in the league. Things were just different in Philly.

“Wearing midnight green was just special,” Foles said. “I’ve always felt something different about this city, this stadium… I was just meant to play here. I’m so grateful to be a part of these teams and a part of the history here. Playing here has made me a better person. But again, I wouldn’t be who I am today without those other stops. So each stop had its own purpose and its own unique story. For the rest of my life, I’ll have the opportunity to reflect on all of them, and I’m grateful for all of them.”