Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Bill Bergey has died after a three-year battle with cancer, his son announced on social media.
“After a long, hard three year battle, Dad lost his battle with cancer,” Jake Bergey posted on Christmas Day. “The best father, friend, grandfather, football player and downright amazing person in this world. I will really miss him. I love you daddy.”
Bergey played seven seasons for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980, helping the team reach its first-ever Super Bowl in 1981 against Oakland.
Before Philadelphia’s game against the Washington Commanders in September 2023, the three-time Eagles MPV, two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler opened up about his battle with jaw cancer.
Bergey said his dentist first discovered a problem in his jaw and after he went to the Penn Center in Philadelphia, discovered it was cancer. He underwent several surgeries to treat the cancer and urged people to see a doctor whenever something doesn’t feel right.
“If they feel like something is wrong, go take a look at it and make sure you stay on top of it because the faster you can do it, the faster you’ll be in good shape,” Bergey said last year. “How do you know you have cancer if you don’t know if you have cancer or not? Get it checked out. If there’s something bothering you, I would go all in on that.”
Merrill Reese, voice of the Eagles on 94.1 WIP, wrote on X that he was saddened to hear of his dear friend’s passing. “Number 66 was one of the greatest players of all time. No one ever loved his family, friends and Eagles fans more. May Bubba rest in peace.”
