Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Bill Bergey has died after battling cancer for three years, his son announced on social media.

“After a long, hard three year battle, Dad has lost his battle with cancer,” Jake Bergey posted on Christmas Day. “The best father, friend, grandfather, football player and simply the greatest person in this world. I’ll really miss him. I love you, dad.”

Bergey played for the Eagles for seven seasons between 1974 and 1980, helping the team to 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 spoke about his battle with jaw cancer.

Bergey said his dentist first noticed a problem in his jaw and learned it was cancer after a visit to the Penn Center in Philadelphia. He had several surgeries to treat the cancer and urged people to see a doctor if something didn’t feel right.

“If you feel like something is wrong, check it out and make sure you stay on top of it because the quicker you get it done, the quicker you’ll be in good shape,” Bergey said last year. “How do you know you have cancer if you don’t know whether you have cancer or not?”

Merrill Reese, voice of the Eagles on 94.1 WIP, wrote on X that he was saddened to learn of the passing of his dear friend. “Number 66 was one of the greatest players of all time. No one has ever loved their family, friends and Eagles fans more. May Bubba rest in peace.”