William Earl Bergey (February 9, 1945 – December 25, 2024) was an American professional football linebacker who played for 12 seasons, most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals of the American Football League (AFL) in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, the year before the AFL–NFL merger was completed and continued to play with the Bengals in the NFL until 1973. Bergey signed with the Eagles the following year, where he played seven seasons until retiring in 1981.

During his career, Bergey received five Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections and made an appearance in Super Bowl XV, his final professional game. He is an inductee of the Eagles Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York, on February 9, 1945. He was an All-American for the Arkansas State Indians (now Red Wolves) and has since been voted by fans the Top Player in Arkansas State history. He was a charter member of Delta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at ASU. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, and a commission in the Army Reserves.

Originally positioned at offensive lineman and noseguard, he was moved to linebacker in 1966. He had two interceptions for the Bengals in his rookie year. For his efforts as a rookie, he was named the AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, the final selections made for the AFL as a league prior to the merger.

Bergey played under Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown at Cincinnati. He recorded three interceptions in the 1970 season, but Bergey did not record a statistic. He recorded a fumble recovery to go with an unofficial "sack". He recorded an interception in his next two combined seasons (1971–1972). In his final season with Cincinnati in 1973, he had three interceptions and recovered three fumbles.

Bergey did not receive compensation from the Blazers and was released from his WFL contract. He was traded from the Bengals to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 1977 first-round selection, Wilson Whitley, and first- and second-round picks in 1978, Ross Browner and Ray Griffin respectively, on July 10, 1974.

In July 1974, Bergey signed a five-year contract with the Eagles. The Blazers ceased operating following the 1974 season, and the WFL itself ceased business in 1975.

Philadelphia Eagles

Bergey played a key role in the Eagles' subsequent rise, culminating in the trip to Super Bowl XV. With the Eagles, Bergey, a four-time Pro Bowl selection as an Eagle (1974, 1976–1978), set the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league with a four-year contract for $1 million. He earned Eagles MVP status three times from the votes of his teammates. He was a popular player who was the foundation of the "Gang Green" defense He suffered a serious knee injury in 1979. He returned in 1980, but it would be Bergey's last season. His ability level was reduced by the injury (he evaluated it at 65%), and he could no longer reach runners in time to make the play; but he was still named All NFC by the Sporting News and went to the Super Bowl. His and Dobler's volatile relationship was ranked by NFL Films at No. 9 on the NFL Top 10 list of feuds.

Bergey retired from professional football in 1981, his last game being Super Bowl XV. He is considered one of the top Eagles of all time. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. The same year, the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association recognized Bergey with its Living Legend Award.

Personal life and death

During his playing days, Bergey served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Bergey served as a color commentator on radio broadcasts of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1982 to 1983. He also provided pre-game and post-game radio and television commentary for the team during the season for over 20 years.

Bergey later lived in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania with his wife Micky Kay. He had three sons and multiple grandchildren. and his son Josh Bergey is a retired lacrosse player for the Chesapeake Bayhawks of the Major League Lacrosse. Bill's brother Bruce Bergey was a standout player for the Portland Storm of the WFL.

In the film Silver Linings Playbook, Robert De Niro's character Pat Solitano Sr., an Eagles fanatic, wears a number 66 Bill Bergey jersey.

Bergey was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2021 and determinedly fought in response to the disease, finding encouragement and inspiration from others, including former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

In October 2024, Bergey was among 60 former players under consideration for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in the Senior category, though he did not make it to the next round of 31 candidates.

Bergey died from cancer in Chadds Ford on December 25, 2024. He was 79.

References

  • Pro-Football-Reference.Com