Bill Bergey, the tough Philadelphia Eagles linebacker who embodied the NFL's gritty mystique in the 1970s, has died 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 against cancer,” the young Bergey wrote in X. “The best father, friend, grandfather, soccer player and, without a doubt, a great person in this world.” I will really miss him. I 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 next to a husky.
Several media outlets have since confirmed Bergey's death.
“I'm so sorry for your loss, Jake,” wrote Philadelphia NBC local anchor John Clark. 'Thinking of you and your family. Sending prayers.'
Bill Bergey, the tough Philadelphia Eagles linebacker who embodied the NFL's gritty mystique in the 1970s, has died 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 next to a husky.
Even rival fans couldn't help but express their sympathy.
Jerry Foley of the Giant Insider newspaper and podcast wrote on X: 'I met your father years ago at an event in Trenton… He was a true gentleman. I'm so sorry for your loss, Jake. God bless you.'
An offensive lineman in high school, Bergey became a linebacker at little-known Arkansas State University and then became a second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft.
After the 1970 merger, Bergey briefly signed with the forgotten World Football League and was sued by the Bengals for breach of contract.
Regardless, his WFL team never paid him and Bergey was eventually traded to Philadelphia for two first- and second-round picks.
“There's no way I would have taken a Bill Bergey for two No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the draft; I think that's absurd,” Bergey told the Associated Press in 1978. “I don't think there's anyone who's worth that much. I really think that's It is mortgaging your future. This is not an individual sport, it is 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 the AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in Cincinnati, but would earn two first-team and three second-team All-Pro selections with the Eagles. Bergey would eventually retire in 1981 after the Eagles lost Super Bowl XV to the Oakland Raiders.
Bergey would serve as a color commentator on the Eagles' radio broadcasts and later became a plaintiff in a concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL.
He and his wife Micky Kay had three children and several grandchildren.
He was diagnosed with oral cancer three years ago and has since received support from a survivor, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.