Ex-Eagles LB Bergey dies at 79 after cancer battle

Legendary Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey has died after a three-year cancer battle. He was 79.

Bergey’s son, Jake, announced the five-time Pro Bowl selection’s passing in a post on social media Christmas morning.

After 68 games in five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (1969-1973), Bergey played in 91 games in seven seasons with the Eagles (1974-1980). He collected 27 career interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries.

His final game was Philadelphia’s 27-10 loss against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV on Jan. 25, 1981, in New Orleans.

He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1974 and 1975 and was runner-up to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene in the 1974 NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Bergey was inducted into the Eagles’ Roll of Honor in 1988 and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.