My All Time Favorite Philadelphia Eagles Players

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the bedrock franchises of the NFL. Formed in 1933, the Eagles have featured some of the greatest players in NFL history on its roster. Philadelphia has won three championships in franchise history, but none since 1960. Those early Eagles teams featured some of the best Eagles players of all time. Steve Van Buren, Chuck Bednarik and Tommy McDonald are among the Hall of Famers to have spent significant time playing for the Eagles. These players are considered some of the best Eagles ever.

The 1980s began a run of success for the Eagles. Some of the best players in Eagles history have been on the team since. Reggie White and Randall Cunningham are twosome the top players from this era. Under the watchful eye of head coach Andy Reid, the Eagles experienced some the best years in the team’s history. Led by players like Donovan McNabb, Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook and Jon Runyan, the Eagles won four straight NFC East titles and went to the NFC Championship game four times. The Eagles were defeated by the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

The Philadelphia Eagles have won several NFL Championships and are a contender nearly every season. With legendary defensive ends, like Reggie White and Norm “Wild Man” Willey, the Eagles have been known for great defenses.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Donovan McNabb

The greatest quarterback in Eagles history without question. Norm Van Brocklin won a title, Jaws took his team to a title and Randall Cunningham was the most impressive offensive weapon in his prime but Donovan was better and for longer.  Donovan McNabb  led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and Superbowl XXXIX. The only thing McNabb didn’t accomplish in his time with the Eagles was winning the Superbowl.

Randall Cunningham

Randall Cunningham was the “Ultimate Weapon” at quarterback. Scrambles like a running back but passed liked an All Pro quarterback. Randall finished his Eagles career with over 22,000 passing yards and over 4,400 rushing yards.

Ron Jaworski

Ron Jaworski’s nickname was “Jaws” and he was the Eagles starting quarterback from 1977 until 1986 when he was replaced by Buddy Ryan with Randall Cunningham. Nobody was better at breaking down a defense whether it was as a quarterback or now the NFL analyst for ESPN.  Jaworksi played 10 seasons for the Eagles where he threw for over 26,000 yards and 151 touchdowns. He led the Eagles to Superbowl XV against the Raiders.

RUNNING BACKS

Steve Van Buren

One of the all time greats. Two time NFL Champion with 5,860 career rushing yards and 69 rushing touchdowns. Van Buren was an All Pro his first seven seasons in the NFL and was a part of the 1940’s All Decade team and the 75th Anniversary Eagles’ team.  Van Buren finished his career as the NFL’s all time leading rusher but was later passed by Joe Perry in 1958. Steve Van Buren’s #15 jersey was retired and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.

Wilbert Montgomery

 

Keith Byars

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tommy McDonald

Tommy McDonald was the Eagles’ wide receiver during 1957 until 1963. He is most famous for two things. First off, he scored the first touchdown of the 1960 Championship game to put the Eagles up 7-6. Also, he was the last non kicker to play without a face mask.  Tommy finished his career with the Eagles with just under 5,500 receiving yards and 66 touchdowns. He led the NFL in receiving in 1961. McDonald was a six time Pro Bowler and 30 years after he retired he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Harold Carmichael

 

Pete Pihos

Pete Pihos was an end for the Eagles from 1947 to 1955 and a key member of two championship teams. The Eagles won three divisional titles in Pete’s first three years. He caught a touchdown in the 1949 NFL Championship game in a 14-0 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Pete lead the league in receptions three straight years in 1953, 1954 and 1955.  Pihos would finish his career with six All Pro selections. He was later named to the 1940’s All Decade Team, The Eagles Honor Roll, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

Vince Papale

 

TIGHT ENDS

Pete Retzlaff

 

Keith Jackson

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Jerry Sisemore

 

OG – Walt Barnes (1948-1951)

Jim Ringo

 

Jermane Mayberry

 

Stan Walters

 

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Reggie White

The “Minister of Defense” is the Eagles all time leader in sacks with 124. Reggie White was not only the greatest defensive ends in Eagles history but also NFL history. During the strike shortened season, where Reggie White only was able to play 12 games, he still managed to pick up 21 sacks. White was the only player to ever rack up 20 plus sacks while playing 12 or fewer games.  White finished his career with the Eagles with seven selections to the Pro Bowl and All Pro teams. He was also the defensive player of the year once as an Eagle in 1987 and his #92 jersey was retired.  Reggie White passed away due to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. He was 43 years old. Reggie was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jerome Brown

Jerome Brown was the Eagles defensive tackle from 1987-1991. Brown finished his career with 29.5 sacks and three interceptions, astounding numbers for a defensive tackle. Jerome Brown received many honors during his five year career. He received two Pro Bowl and All Pro bids.

Charlie Johnson

 

DE – “Wild Man” Willey (1950-1957)

 

LINEBACKERS

Chuck Bednarik

Concrete Charlie was and still is the greatest Philadelphia Eagle of all time. Bednarik is also famous for knocking Frank Gifford out of football for 18 months. Bednarik had an ongoing feud with then player Chuck Noll. In a game against Noll’s Browns, Bednarik nailed Noll in the face on a fourth down punt.  Concrete Charlie was one of the toughest players in the history of football. He played both center and linebacker. He was the last of the 60 minutes men.

Bill Bergey

 

Seth Joyner

 

Maxie Baughan

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Eric Allen

 

Troy Vincent

 

DB – Tom Brookshier (1954,56-61)

Irv Cross

 

Bill Bradley

 

Brian Dawkins

Brian Dawkins, possibly the most beloved Philadelphia athlete ever. Dawkins took over as starting free safety for the Eagles in the 1996 season and remained there for 13 seasons. He was the backbone for that defense. He was a complete safety in his prime. He was part hard hitter, part leader, part coverage ace. He did everything well on and off the field.  Dawkins is an eight time Pro Bowler, a seven time All Pro member, a member of the 2000’s All Decade team, and a member of the Eagles’ 75th Anniversary team. In 2008 he became a member of the 20/20 club for players with 20 sacks and 20 interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K – David Akers

 

P – Sean Landeta

 

PR – Brian Westbrook

 

KR – Timmy Brown (1960-1967)

 

NICKNAME

• When Bert Bell established his NFL franchise in Philadelphia in 1933, the country was struggling to recover from the Great Depression. New president Franklin D. Roosevelt had introduced his “New Deal” program through the National Recovery Administration, which had the Eagle as its symbol. Since Bell hoped his franchise also was headed for a new deal, he picked Eagles as the team name.

TEAM NAMES

• Philadelphia Eagles (1933-1942)
• Phil-Pitt Steagles (1943)
• Philadelphia Eagles (1944-Present)

HEAD COACHES

• Lud Wray (1933-1935)
• Bert Bell (1936-1940)
• Greasy Neale (1941-1942)
• Greasy Neale& Walt Kiesling (1943)
• Greasy Neale (1944-1950)
• Bo McMillin (1951)
• Wayne Millner (1951)
• Jim Trimble (1952-1955)
• Hugh Devore (1956-1957)
• Buck Shaw (1958-1960)
• Nick Skorich (1961-1963)
• Joe Kuharich (1964-1968)
• Jerry Williams (1969-1971)
• Ed Khayat (1971-1972)
• Mike McCormack (1973-1975)
• Dick Vermeil (1976-1982)
• Marion Campbell (1983-1985)
• Fred Bruney (1985)
• Buddy Ryan (1986-1990)
• Richie Kotite (1991-1994)
• Ray Rhodes (1995-1998)
• Andy Reid (1999-2012)
• Chip Kelly (2013-2015)
• Pat Shurmer (2015)
• Doug Pederson (2016-Present)

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

• Super Bowl LII (2017) – Philadelphia Eagles defeat New England Patriots 41-33

NFL CHAMPIONS (PRE-1966)

• 1948, 1949, 1960

SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES

• Super Bowl XV (1980) – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders
• Super Bowl XXXIX (2004) – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
• Super Bowl LII (2017) – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots

NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES (PRE-1966)

• 1947, 1948, 1949, 1960

NFL/NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

• 1980, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

• 1947, 1948, 1949, 1960, 1980, 1988, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

• 1947, 1948, 1949, 1960, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018

PLAYOFF RECORD

• 23-22 .418

HALL OF FAME PLAYERS

• Chuck Bednarik C & LB (1949-1962)
• Bert Bell Owner (1933-1940)
• Bob Brown OT (1964-1968)
• Cris Carter WR (1987-1989)
• Brian Dawkins S (1996-2008)
• Richard Dent DE (1997)
• Mike Ditka TE (1967-1968)
• Bud Grant WR-DE (1951-1952)
• Bill Hewitt WR (1937-1939)
• Claude Humphrey DE (1979-1981)
• Sonny Jurgensen QB (1957-1963)
• James Lofton WR (1993)
• Ollie Matson RB (1964-1966)
• Tommy McDonald WR (1957-1963)
• James Arthur ‘Art’ Monk WR (1994)
• Greasy Neale Coach (1941-1950)
• Terrell Owens WR (2004-2005)
• Pete Pihos WR (1947-1955)
• Jim Ringo C (1964-1967)
• Norm Van Brocklin QB (1958-1960)
• Steve Van Buren RB (1944-1951)
• Reggie White DE (1985-1992)
• Alex Wojciechowicz LB (1946-1950)

RETIRED NUMBERS

• 5 Donovan McNabb QB (1999-2009)
• 15 Steve Van Buren RB (1944-1951)
• 20 Brian Dawkins S (1996-2008)
• 40 Tom Brookshier CB (1953, 1956-1961)
• 44 Pete Retzlaff TE (1956-1966)
• 60 Chuck Bednarik C LB (1949-1962)
• 70 Al Wistert OT & DT (1943-1953)
• 92 Reggie White DE (1985-1992)
• 99 Jerome Brown DT (1987-1991)

PRO BOWL MVP

• 1954 Chuck Bednarik LB
• 1967 Floyd Peters DT
• 1987 Reggie White DE
• 1989 Randall Cunningham QB

AWARDS

COACH OF THE YEAR

• 1948 Greasy Neale
• 1979 Dick Vermeil
• 1995 Ray Rhodes
• 2002 Andy Reid

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• None

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• None

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• 1987 Reggie White DE

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• None

NFL MVP

• 1960 Norm Van Brocklin QB

SUPER BOWL MVP

• 2018 Nick Foles QB – Super Bowl LII

 

©MMXIX My All Time Favorites, all pictures and logos, team names are property of the National Football League. This site is not affiliated with the NFL or Philadelphia Eagles.  All Football Cards are low resolution scans from a personal collection and each is credited with the production company name and year.  This site is maintained for research purposes only.