Mahan quickly became a fixture in the Eagles organization and a massive part of Philadelphia sports history. At one point, he was a team photographer for all four Philadelphia professional sports franchises – at once. He still takes photos for Penn Athletics and the Penn Relays on the same field where he got his start 50 years ago.

Murray, who still receives a phone call each gameday from Mahan to check in, says that maybe other than Vermeil, Mahan is his best hire.

"People use the term eagle eye. Well, he is the Eagles' eye," says Philadelphia Hall of Fame journalist Ray Didinger. "The owners, coaches, and players, they come and go, but Eddie has been here the whole time. And because of him, we have this wonderful archive of photography that brings the whole history of the team to life."

The Super Bowl Champions edition of Didinger's book, The Eagles Encyclopedia, included a section about Mahan's life and work with the Eagles under the Front Office chapter. Didinger has also advocated for Mahan to write a book of his own with his photos and his stories.

"Fans have seen his work and they appreciate it greatly," Didinger says. "But in my view, not enough people know who Ed Mahan is."

While Mahan started as a one-man show, the Eagles' photo staff today is a well-oiled machine. Kiel Leggere, Drew Hallowell, Hunter Martin, Brian Garfinkel, and John Geliebter work with Mahan during home games and handle the work themselves on the road.

While his colleagues gush about his ability to take his work but not himself seriously, Mahan's personality alone did not get him through 50 years. Mahan knows where to be on the field to get an unorthodox shot at the right time. And before cameras were equipped were automatic focus, he still had the ability to work a lens and get the shot.

Before digital cameras, Hallowell sat with Mahan and developed rolls of film with 36 frames on them after games. Hallowell says his rolls would have one or two clear, well-composed shots. Ed's would have at least 30.

"It was much harder to be a photographer then because even if you had a sharp eye, your brain would have to tell your hands to move the camera into focus," Hallowell says. "That is the talent that I remember Ed had and probably still has."

The passion behind Mahan's work stems from an appreciation for what he does. It's why he always looks to lend a helping hand on the sideline, even to those who don't play for the same team.

When Philadelphia Inquirer staff photographer David Maialetti photographed his first Eagles game in the late 1990s, he says Mahan could sense it was his first game. While shooting his own photos, Mahan helped him get acclimated to the field and shared tips about his approach. His workplace did not matter.

"Sports photography is a very competitive field, much like competitive sports," Maialetti says. "So him doing that to make me feel welcome and showing me around a little bit, I've taken that as how I try to be like to all new photographers."

Mahan has consistently shown his team of photographers new ways to see the game and get the shot that no one else has. But after countless hours of stories shared in film rooms and in hotels on road trips, they've become a family and learned more from his friendly, personable nature.

"Ed's a people person," Martin says. "All he would have to do is tell a story to connect with someone. And players knew they were with someone down to earth who they could trust."

"I get calls from my parents and I get calls from Ed," Garfinkel says. "And we're having similar conversations about life."

Through the ups and downs, the milestones and magical moments, Mahan has never lost perspective. He knows both how important his job is and how lucky he is to do it. That was never more obvious than when President George W. Bush made an appearance at the Eagles' 2018 Salute to Service game against the Cowboys.

Mahan assigned Hallowell to photograph the President as he walked onto the field. When Hallowell introduced himself in the tunnel, President Bush asked what his job was. He explained that he was a team photographer for the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Wow," the President replied. "What a cool job."

That inspired a postgame speech from Mahan.

"We are so fortunate that the President of the United States thinks we have a cool job," Mahan says. "I told my guys, don't take it for granted and try to share it. Bring others into our world and be the gracious holders of that title."

If you're lucky enough to sit down with Mahan one day, you'll hear all of these stories and more. Through his years of work, he is both proud and grateful for what he has experienced as the Eagles' photographer. But after 50 years of experiences and personal relationships, the stories are what he holds closest to his heart.