Bill Bergey

Lore & Background

Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York, on February 9, 1945. He graduated from Pine Valley Central High School in 1964 and from Arkansas State University (ASU), where he played under coach Bernie Ellender. He was an All-American for the Arkansas State Indians and was voted by fans the Top Player in Arkansas State history. He was a charter member of the Delta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at ASU.

He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a commission in the Army Reserves. Originally an offensive lineman and noseguard, he moved to linebacker in 1966. At ASU, he set records for best tackling average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, most tackles in a game, most tackles in a season, and most career tackles. He once had 33 tackles in a single game and averaged 19.6 tackles per game in 1968.

He played in three post-season all-star games (Senior Bowl, North–South Game, Chicago All-Star Game). Bergey was selected to the All-Southland Conference team three times and to the Southland Conference All-First Decade Team. His jersey number 66 was honored by ASU, and he was the first person on its Wall of Fame. He was inducted into ASU's Hall of Honor in 1982. Despite the accolades, his time at ASU was difficult due to physical fights with southern schoolmates.

Reader's Guide

Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft (31st overall). He was an AFL All-Star in his rookie year and was named AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He played under coach Paul Brown. In 1970, the Bengals made the postseason, losing to the Baltimore Colts 17–0.

Bergey recorded interceptions in multiple seasons. In 1974, he signed a personal service contract with the Washington Capitols of the World Football League (WFL), but the Bengals sued for breach of contract; the court ruled in Bergey's favor. He was then traded from the Bengals to the Philadelphia Eagles on July 10, 1974, for a 1977 first-round selection (Wilson Whitley) and first- and second-round picks in 1978 (Ross Browner and Ray Griffin, respectively).

Bergey signed a five-year contract with the Eagles. With the Eagles, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1974, 1976–1978) 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. He played 91 games as an Eagle, starting every game in six of seven seasons, with 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.

He recorded 233 tackles in a single season and once held the league record for interceptions by a linebacker with five. He was the foundation of the 'Gang Green' defense that led the Eagles to the playoffs in 1978, 1979, and 1980, and to Super Bowl XV after winning the NFC championship game against the Dallas Cowboys 20–7. He suffered a serious knee injury in 1979 and returned in 1980, his last season. He was named All NFC by the Sporting News.

Bergey finished his career with 27 interceptions for 397 yards, 16 unofficial sacks, and 21 fumble recoveries. He retired after Super Bowl XV. He was inducted into the Eagles Roll of Honor in 1988. In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association named him to the PFRA Hall of Very Good.

He was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and received the Living Legend Award from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association that same year.

Did You Know?

• Bergey served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve during his playing days.
• He was a color commentator on Eagles radio broadcasts from 1982 to 1983 and provided pre-game and post-game commentary for over 20 years.
• Bergey was a plaintiff in the concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL.
• His son Jake Bergey played lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings, and his son Josh Bergey played for the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
• In the film Silver Linings Playbook, Robert De Niro's character wears a number 66 Bill Bergey jersey.