It turns out hoagies aren’t such a threat to security after all. At least in Philadephia.

Responding to a public outcry, led by the justifiably outraged and appropriately skeptical Philadelphia Daily News, the Philadelphia Eagles today reversed their previously announced ban on outside food at the team’s new, publicly financed stadium, Lincoln Financial Field.

The Associated Press reports (as picked up by the Allentown Morning Call):

The team said Thursday it would allow fans to bring small quantities of food in clear plastic bags into the football team’s new stadium, reversing a ban on outside food that had fueled fan outrage and generated a raft of negative publicity.

The Eagles had claimed the ban was for security reasons; fans accused the team of greed, saying they would be forced to buy expensive concession food. At the new stadium, cheesesteaks[,] and hoagies will cost $6.50, a pork sandwich $6.25, and beer $6. […]

“We were able to come up with something that's a little more sensitive to fan desires and maintain security,” Eagles president Joe Banner said. “I totally respect anyone who thinks we made a decision that was overly conservative on security, but I’m disappointed in anyone who thinks there were other motivations.”

That’s Joe’s story and he’s stickin’ to it.