Bill Bergey, a former five-time Pro Bowl linebacker who played in a Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79, as confirmed by the team. His son, Jake, shared on social media that Bergey died after battling cancer. Bergey had been open about his cancer fight in recent years, having been diagnosed with a form of jaw cancer in 2021.
Bergey, who was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2009, was a three-time team MVP, voted by his teammates. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he once said, “I didn’t give it the old, ‘Why me?’ or anything like that. I just thought that I had to fight it just like I would fight anything else that I needed to fight.”
Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 and made a Pro Bowl appearance with them before being traded to the Eagles before the 1974 season. His career thrived in Philadelphia, where he became one of the team’s most beloved players. He made the Pro Bowl four times in Philadelphia (1974, 1976, 1977, 1978) and earned All-Pro honors in both the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
In 2023, Bill Bergey reflected on his strong connection with Philadelphia fans, saying, “I’ve always had a special bond with the fans here. I’ve always treated them with kindness and respect throughout my career, from the top of the ladder to where I am now. You wouldn’t believe it, but I’ve met the same people on my way back down.”
Team owner Jeffrey Lurie praised Bill Bergey for earning the respect of players and coaches across the league due to his blue-collar work ethic and tough, hard-nosed playing style.
“Bill embodied what it meant to be an Eagle in every sense and represented the team proudly in the community long after his playing career ended,” Lurie said in a statement.
Bergey, who recorded 27 career interceptions, including five in 1974, was among 60 nominees considered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame seniors committee this fall, though he did not move on to the next round.
His final season was in 1980 under coach Dick Vermeil, when the Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl. Despite playing all 16 games, Bergey retired due to a persistent knee injury. He had played college football at Arkansas State.
In 2015, Bill Bergey reflected on his career, saying, “I always felt we were heading in the right direction. Even in the early years under Vermeil, when wins were scarce, we could see the intensity of our play improving. Dick’s personality really rubbed off on us.”
After retiring, Bergey contributed in various roles on Eagles radio broadcasts.
Longtime Eagles announcer Merrill Reese honored Bergey on social media, writing, “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, who recorded nearly 1,200 tackles during his seven seasons with the Eagles, was born on February 9, 1945, in South Dayton, New York.
He was also a plaintiff in the concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL.