Former NFL linebacker Bill Bergey has passed away at the age of 79, as announced by his son on Christmas Day.
Bergey, known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1974-1980, had been battling cancer for the past few years. His son, Jake Bergey, described him as an “out right great person.”
The South Dayton, New York, native began his professional football career in the late 1960s with the Cincinnati Bengals.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Bill Bergey of the Philadelphia Eagles stretches while warming up for the Redskins game at RFK Stadium on Sept. 10, 1978, in Washington, D.C. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“After a long hard 3 year battle, Dad lost his fight with Cancer. The best father, friend, grand father, football player and out right great person in this world. I will truly miss him. Love you dad,” Jake wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bergey accumulated nearly 1,200 tackles during his time with the Eagles and was honored with four Pro Bowl selections. His first Pro Bowl nod came in 1969 while playing for the Bengals.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER RICKEY HENDERSON DEAD AT 65
The former linebacker was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1988 and later into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Bill Bergey of the Philadelphia Eagles on the sideline during a preseason game against the Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on Sept. 2, 1977, in Pittsburgh. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
In 2023, Bergey opened up about his bond with Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly, who had battled jaw cancer. Kelly served as a source of inspiration and encouragement for Bergey.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey kneels over Oakland Raiders tight end Raymond Chester in Super Bowl XV at the Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 25, 1981. (Manny Rubio-USA Today Sports)
“He has kind of been my inspiration,” Bergey shared. “He keeps me on the up and up. ‘Just remember,’ he would say, ‘You’re a football player, you’re tough, and you can beat this. You can handle this.'”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Bergey played college football at Arkansas State and continued his involvement with the Eagles after retiring from the NFL, contributing to pregame and postgame coverage.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
