Bill Bergey, the legendary linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, has died at the age of 79, as confirmed by his son, Jake, in a post on X earlier this morning.

As noted in the same post, Bergey bravely battled cancer for three years before his death. An article on the Eagles’ official website mentions that he was diagnosed with cancer that originated in his jaw.

Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played for five years and earned the American Football League’s Defensive Rookie of the Year title in 1969. However, he gained greater fame during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1974 to 1980, going to four Pro Bowls and being selected to five All-Pro teams, including two First Team honors. At one point, he held the title of the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL and the record for most interceptions by a linebacker.

In addition to his playing career, he participated in the team’s pre-game and post-game broadcasts and also coached football at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about Bill Bergey’s passing,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie stated on Wednesday. “Bill was an all-time great Eagle, a legendary linebacker recognized by players and coaches alike for his hard work and tough style. He was justly inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1988. Bill embodied the spirit of being an Eagle, proudly representing the team in the community long after his playing career concluded. His presence will be greatly missed, and we send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Bergey family.”

Bergey is honored in the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in New York.

Bergey was born on February 9, 1945, in South Dayton, New York. He was married to Micky Kay and was the father of three sons, with whom he shared eight grandchildren. His sons, Jake and Josh, both pursued careers in professional lacrosse, with Jake Bergey playing for the Philadelphia Wings.

Shane Brennan covers New Castle County, focusing on Newark and nearby areas. Feel free to reach out with ideas, tips, or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly known as Twitter.