PHILADELPHIA – Bill Bergey, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker who played in a Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles, died Wednesday, the team announced. He was 79.

His son Jake posted on social media that Bergey had died of cancer. Bergey, a three-time Eagles team MVP as voted by his teammates, had spoken openly about his battle with the disease in recent years.

Bergey, who was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2009, said he has been suffering from a form of jaw cancer since 2021.

“I don’t have the old ‘Why me?’ said. or something like that,” he said in 2003. “I just thought I had to fight it, just like I would fight anything else I had to fight.”

Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 and made one Pro Bowl appearance for them before being traded before the 1974 season. Bergey’s career began in Philadelphia and he became one of the most popular Eagles players of his time. He made the Pro Bowl in 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1978 and was named All-Pro for the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

“I’ve always had a love affair with the Philadelphia fans,” Bergey said in 2023. “I’ve always been friendly and courteous to them all the way up the ladder, because you won’t believe it,” but I’ve met the same people, who came back from this ladder.

Team boss Jeffrey Lurie said Bergey “has won the respect of players and coaches across the league for his work ethic and hard-nosed play.”

“Bill exemplified what it meant to be an Eagle in every way and continued to proudly represent the team in the community even after his playing days ended,” Lurie said in a statement.

Bergey, who had 27 career interceptions, including five in 1974, was one of 60 nominees the Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Committee considered this fall. He failed to advance to the next round.

His final season was 1980 under coach Dick Vermeil, when the Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV. Bergey, who played college ball at Arkansas State, played in all 16 games but was sidelined by a lingering knee injury.

“I always felt like we were moving in the right direction,” Bergey said in 2015. “Even in the early years (under Vermeil), when wins were few and far between, we could see the intensity of the game increasing .” . Dick’s personality affected us.”

Bergey served in various roles on Eagles radio broadcasts after his retirement.

“Number 66 was one of the greatest players of all time,” longtime Eagles announcer Merrill Reese wrote on social media. “No one has ever loved their family, friends and Eagles fans more. May Bubba rest in peace.”

Bergey, who recorded nearly 1,200 tackles in seven seasons with the Eagles, was born on February 9, 1945 in South Dayton, New York.

Bergey was a plaintiff in the concussion lawsuit against the NFL.