Former Eagle Tom Brookshier passes away at age of 78

The Philadelphia Eagles are saddened to announce that former All-Pro defensive back Tom Brookshier passed away on Friday night at the age of 78 after a bout with cancer.

Originally a 10th round draft pick from Colorado, Brookshier made an immediate impact with eight interceptions during his rookie season of 1953. Then, after a two-year stint in the Air Force, the defensive back returned to the Eagles and twice earned All-Pro honors - first in 1959, and again in 1960 as a member of the NFL championship team. In all he spent seven seasons with the Eagles and collected 20 interceptions. Upon retiring as a player, he entered the broadcast booth on CBS's telecasts of NFL games. Brookshier, a native of Roswell, New Mexico, is a member of the Eagles Honor Roll and is one of seven players in franchise history to have his jersey number (#40) retired.

Said Eagles head coach Andy Reid today after learning of Brookshier's passing, "Tom Brookshier is one of all-time greats, both for what he did on the field and for the kind of man he was off the field. I will always remember him for his booming and bright personality. He had an uncanny love for life, a love for his family and a love for the game of football, especially for the Philadelphia Eagles. He bled green and I will always cherish our conversations and the relationship that we fostered throughout my tenure in Philadelphia. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Barbara, and the rest of the Brookshier family."

Per the Brookshier family, funeral arrangements are pending.