Bill Bergey, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker and Super Bowl participant for the Philadelphia Eagles, died Wednesday at the age of 79, the team announced. His son, Jake, shared on social media that Bergey passed away from cancer, a disease he had openly battled for several years. Bergey, a three-time Eagles team MVP as voted by his teammates, was diagnosed with a form of jaw cancer in 2021. Even in the face of this challenge, he maintained a characteristically positive outlook, stating in 2003, “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.”
Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969, Bergey made one Pro Bowl appearance before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1974. His career blossomed in Philadelphia, where he became a fan favorite. He earned four more Pro Bowl selections (1974, 1976, 1977, 1978) and was named an All-Pro in 1974 and 1975. Reflecting on his connection with Philadelphia fans in 2023, Bergey said, “I’ve always had a love affair with the fans of Philadelphia. I have always been kind and courteous to them all the way up that ladder of success that I had because, you won’t believe it, but I’ve met the same people coming back down off that ladder.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie praised Bergey’s dedication, stating that he “gained the respect of players and coaches across the league for his blue-collar work ethic and hard-nosed play. 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.” Bergey, who recorded 27 career interceptions (including five in 1974), was a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seniors committee this past fall but did not advance.
His final season was 1980, under coach Dick Vermeil, which culminated in a Super Bowl loss to the Oakland Raiders. A lingering knee injury forced his retirement after a 16-game season. Even during challenging times, Bergey maintained a positive perspective. In 2015, he commented on his early years under Vermeil, saying, “I always had a sense that we were moving in the right direction. Even in the early years (under Vermeil) when the wins were few and far between, we could see the intensity of the play picking up. Dick’s personality rubbed off on us.”
Following his retirement, Bergey contributed to Eagles radio broadcasts. Longtime Eagles announcer Merrill Reese mourned his passing 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 accumulated nearly 1,200 tackles in seven seasons with the Eagles, was born February 9, 1945, in South Dayton, New York, and was also a plaintiff in the concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL. He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2009.