Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Bill Bergey dies at 79
Bergey died following a three-year battle with cancer, Bergey’s son, Jake, wrote Wednesday on X.
Bill Bergey, an All-Pro middle linebacker whose relentless play led Eagles defenses in the 1970s and culminated in a Super Bowl XV appearance, died at 79 on Wednesday, according to the team.
Bergey died following a three-year battle with cancer, Bergey’s son, Jake, wrote on X. A Chadds Ford resident, Bergey told the Eagles’ website last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer in his jaw.
“An Eagles all-time great, Bill was a legendary linebacker who gained the respect of players and coaches across the league for his blue-collar work ethic and hard-nosed play,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Bill exemplified what it meant to be an Eagle in every way and proudly represented the team in the community well after his playing days were over. We will all miss him dearly and extend our deepest condolences to the entire Bergey family.”
He played in seven seasons for the Eagles and recorded nearly 1,200 tackles. He arrived in Philadelphia via trade in 1974 after five seasons with Cincinnati and was named an All-Pro five times and to the Pro Bowl four times.
Dick Vermeil arrived as Eagles coach in 1976, and Bergey flourished in those defenses. His final game came in the Super Bowl on Jan. 25, 1981. He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1988.