Reno is South Philly star

Reno Mahe one year later: undrafted but loved.

Three weeks ago, Philadelphia's NBC Channel 10 aired a story that Mahe, a Philadelphia Eagle running back, was working part-time as a host at Chickie's & Pete's Cafe on the corner of Broad and Packer avenues near the stadiums in South Philly.

Within minutes, phone calls poured in to the newsroom. Philadelphians, who are known for cannibalizing their sports icons, proclaimed the story really touched them. Fans told Channel 10 that Mahe is the kind of athlete they can cheer for because they hate rich, spoiled superstars who don't relate to the working stiff.

"Reno is like a rock star in this town," Channel 10 sportscaster Vai Sikahema said. "He's a rock star in Philly. People just love him. He's a kid that just doesn't think he's better than anyone else."

Both Mahe and Sikahema are former BYU football players. So are Eagle coach Andy Reid and All-Pro tight end Chad Lewis. These BYU guys are on a run in this City of Brotherly Love.

But it is Mahe, an undrafted free agent, who struck the latest chord.

"Fans here love the underdog," Sikahema said. "That's why the movie 'Rocky' remains so popular because these people relate. They pull for the flat-footed underachiever who's battling the world to get ahead."

The owner of Chickie's & Pete's, one of Philadelphia's most popular sports bars, agrees. Mahe's smiling face and friendly demeanor is sugar to even the crankiest patrons waiting for a table.

"If all Mormons are like these guys, then I'm going to have to open up a restaurant in Utah or hire more of them around here," owner Pete Ciarrocci said.

Chickie's & Pete's is a gargantuan sports feed-and-drink stop before and after sporting events in South Philadelphia. Ciarrocci takes care of Eagle players and coaches, giving them free food. Stars are constantly dropping in. One day a waitress came up to Ciarrocci and said Eagle running back Reno Mahe wanted a job. "He said he'll do anything, including wait tables," Ciarrocci was told.

Ciarrocci was shocked.

Mahe, who signed for the NFL minimum of $250,000, earned another $50,000 bonus when the Eagles made the playoffs this past season. Ciarrocci hired Mahe for $7 an hour as a host.

When Mahe roamed the halls at Brighton High School, it was like this. People found it this way at BYU and with the Eagles. Mahe's laughter, jokes and easy smile became infectious at Pete's.