Jan 25, 1981; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey (66) kneels over Oakland Raiders tight end Raymond Chester (88) in Super Bowl XV at the Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Bergey, the heart and soul of the dominant defense that carried the Philadelphia Eagles to their first appearance in a Super Bowl in January, 1981, died on Christmas morning after a three-year battle with cancer, He was 79.
Bergey's son Jake, a former member of the Philadelphia Wings lacrosse team, made the announcement on X on Christmas morning.
After a long hard 3 year battle, Dad lost his fight with Cancer. The best father, friend, grand father, football player and out right great person in this world. I will truly miss him. Love you dad. pic.twitter.com/RTLln3UA8o
Bergey epitomized the era of hard-nosed linebacker play that was a staple in the NFL in the 1970s. He was among the best linebackers of his era. A second round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 out of Arkansas State, the Eagles traded for Bergey in 1974 and he played his final seven seasons with the Birds.
His final game came in Super Bowl XV, which the Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders 27-10.
Bergey was a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker in his 12 seasons, reaching the annual All-Star game four times with the Eagles. He was named the AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, the final season before the AFL and NFL merged.
He was also named first-team All-Pro at his position twice by the Associated Press in both 1974 and 1975. He was the runner-up to Pittsburgh's "Mean" Joe Greene for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1974, finishing two votes behind Greene.
In seven seasons with the Eagles, Bergey started 91 games and finished with 18 interceptions, setting an NFL record for linebackers, recovered 21 fumbles and had 18 1/2 sacks.
Bergey was inducted into the Eagles' Ring of Honor in 1988 and was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
After his playing days, Bergey served as the color commentator on Eagles radio broadcasts alongside Merrill Reese in both the 1982 and 1983 seasons, and later was a member of pre- and postgame radio shows for Eagles Broadcasts for more than two decades.
So sad to learn of the passing of my dear friend Bill Bergey this morning. Number 66 was one of the greatest players of all time. Nobody ever loved his family, friends, and Eagles fans more. May Bubba rest in peace.
Bergey was among a list of 60 Senior players under consideration for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025, but he did not make the cut to the second round that narrowed the list to 31.
