Bill Bergey, the hard-nosed Philadelphia Eagles linebacker who epitomized the NFL’s gritty 1970s mystique, has passed away at age 79, according to his family.
The South Dayton, New York native’s death was revealed by his son Jake Bergey, a former professional lacrosse player.
‘After a long hard 3 year battle, Dad lost his fight with Cancer,’ the younger Bergey wrote on X. ‘The best father, friend, grand father, football player and out right great person in this world. I will truly miss him. Love you dad.’
The post included a year-old photo of the elder Bergey, dressed in a No. 66 Eagles jersey, eating cake in a reclining chair alongside a husky.
Bergey’s death has since been confirmed by several media outlets.
‘I’m so sorry for your loss Jake,’ wrote local Philadelphia NBC anchor John Clark. ‘Thinking of you and your family. Sending prayers.’
Bill Bergey, the hard-nosed Philadelphia Eagles linebacker who epitomized the NFL’s gritty 1970s mystique, has passed away at age 79, according to his family
His son’s post included a year-old photo of the elder Bergey, dressed in a No. 66 Eagles jersey, eating cake in a reclining chair alongside a husky
Even rival fans couldn’t help but express their sympathy.
Jerry Foley of the Giant Insider Podcast and Newspaper wrote on X: ‘Met your dad years ago at an event in Trenton… He was a true gentleman. So sorry for your loss, Jake. God bless.’
An offensive lineman in high school, Bergey converted to linebacker at little-known Arkansas State University and went on to become a second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft.
Following the 1970 merger, Bergey briefly signed in the long-forgotten World Football League and was sued by the Bengals for a breech of contract.
Regardless, his WFL team never paid him and Bergey was ultimately traded to Philadelphia for two first-round picks and second rounder.
‘There’s no way that I would have grabbed a Bill Bergey for two number ones and a number two draft choice–I think that’s absurd,’ Bergey told the Associated Press in 1978. ‘I don’t think that there is anybody who is worth that much. I really think that that is mortgaging your future. This isn’t an individual sport–it’s a team sport.’
Bergey in action against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game on October 3, 1976
In any case, it was in Philadelphia where the 6-foot-4, 243-pound bruiser developed his reputation for toughness.
He had already won AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in Cincinnati, but would go on to earn two First-team and three Second-team All-Pro selections with the Eagles. Bergey would ultimately retire in 1981 after the Eagles lost Super Bowl XV to the Oakland Raiders.
Bergey would go on to serve asa color commentator on Eagles radio broadcasts and later became a plaintiff in a concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL.
He and wife Micky Kay had three sons and a number of grand children.
He was diagnosed with oral cancer three years ago and has since received support from a survivor, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.
