Eagles great Brookshier dies at 78
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Eagles great Brookshier dies at 78
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Former Eagles defensive back Tom Brookshier died Friday night at the age of 78, the team announced today.
Brookshier spent seven seasons with the Eagles, starting in 1953 after the Birds drafted him in the 10th round out of Colorado. He earned All-Pro honors twice and was part of the last Eagles team to win a championship, in 1960.
He is one of seven Eagles players to have his number (40) retired.
Andy Reid released the following statement earlier today:
"Tom Brookshier is one of all-time greats, both for what he did on the field and for the kind of man he was off the field. I will always remember him for his booming and bright personality. He had an uncanny love for life, a love for his family and a love for the game of football, especially for the Philadelphia Eagles. He bled green and I will always cherish our conversations and the relationship that we fostered throughout my tenure in Philadelphia. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Barbara, and the rest of the Brookshier family.”
After his playing days, Brookshier teamed with Pat Summerall on CBS' top broadcast team.
He later hosted WIP's morning show.
Feel free to share your thoughts and favorite memories of Brookshier below.
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Here is what some current and former members of the Eagles organization said today about Brookshier:
Eagles Chairman
Jeffrey Lurie:
“One of the reasons we have always been so proud to be a part
of the Eagles family is because great men of character like Tom
Brookshier were the bricks in the foundation of the franchise. This man
could literally light up a room, and he brought the same passion and
intensity to his playing and broadcasting careers. Tom Brookshier will
forever remain an integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was and
will always be a champion. Christina and I send our heartfelt
condolences to his wife, Barbara, his family, and anyone who had the
pleasure of calling Tom Brookshier a friend."
Eagles President Joe
Banner:
“As few may know, back in the mid 1970s, I worked in
broadcasting in Philadelphia at the same station [WCAU] as Tom
Brookshier. Although I was only 21 years old at the time and very
inexperienced, the first person to greet, embrace and take me under his
wing was Tom. I will never forget that such a highly accomplished,
highly respected person that Tom was and will forever be in this city,
took the time to welcome and care for me. I will never forget his
warmth and friendly personality.”
Hall of Famer Chuck
Bednarik and former teammate of Brookshier:
“Tom Brookshier represented everything you could want in a
teammate and friend. Brookie was one of the best people that
I’ve ever known and I am proud to have remained his friend
for so many years. He was always a leader on the field and in the
locker room and might have been the toughest defensive back of our era;
he was a hitter. We’ve lost one of the great Eagles of all
time.”
Hall of Famer Tommy
McDonald and former teammate of Brookshier:
“Put a Tom Brookshier on your team and you're going to have a
winner. Nobody said we were going to beat Green Bay [in the 1960 NFL
Championship game]. Well, look at what we did! The 1960 team lost a
brother. That 1960 team was family. He had an outstanding personality.
He was a happy person to be around. That's why he was so successful in
color commentary … He was the type of person you wanted to
have as your brother. He had strong leadership ability on defense with
Chuck Bednarik and everybody. You could always depend on him. He was a
leader. I will miss knowing that I won't be able to see him anymore,
but he's on God's team now.”
Former Eagles quarterback
and Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski:
“Tom Brookshier was an icon in Philadelphia sports. When I
was traded to the Eagles in 1977, Tom took me under his wing and taught
me the passion of Philadelphia Eagles fans. For that, I am forever
grateful. Brookie also led by example; he was always willing to give
back to the community. His commitment to the Maxwell Football Club
helped it become recognized as the number one club in America to
promote the game of football at all levels. We lost a great leader in
Tom Brookshier.”
Longtime Eagles public
relations director Jim Gallagher:
“Brookie was a special person and a heckuva football player.
After his career was stopped short by a broken leg, he got into radio
and TV and did a super job with that. He was one of the best in the
business working alongside Pat Summerall. Tom was really one of the
best tacklers I have ever seen - he tackled like Pop Warner would want
him to. But the thing I remembered most about him as a player was that
he was a team leader. All the guys loved him and thought the world of
him. He was a dear friend. When Brookie came into a room, it lit up
like sunshine.”
Rest In Peace, Tom. We thoroughly enjoyed your stay on earth. Fly, Eagle, Fly!!!— Tom Kearney- A sad day for Eagles fans, fans of the Philly sports season, and those who knew him on the national level -- let alone all his family and friends who really knew him. I only met him once - a charity golf tourney where I was volunteering - and my impression certainly did not disappoint me. He was warm, outgoing, gregarious, and seemed to be having a great time. By all accounts, he was a terrific guy who will be sorely missed.— MG44
Comment removed.- Tom was one of the classiest celebrities I have ever met. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Aronimink Country Club in the 70's. I was a car valet and he spent about 15 minutes speaking with 3 of us while attending an event. He was very personable, genuine and down to earth. Meeting him is a great memory 35 years later.— phillyz
- Rest In Peace to a wonderful Q U A L I T Y human being.!— zen
- Tom was a class act and was a great friend to me. I will always cherish my relationship with him. God bless.— Einstein
- I grew up in the same Gladwyne community that Mr. Brookshier raised his kids in. I was a contemporary to his son, almost the same age. He was a kind and very generous man. I remember that he fostered all of the athletically oriented high schoolers of my day. A class act that will be missed.— sonofnash
- What a sad, sad day. Brookshier was as sincere as any announcer in the business, and he loved our city. A man is judged by the legacy he leaves. He left a great one.— Bob1
- There was the inexplicable on air comments about the Louisville basketball team questioning the overall I Q of the team. Brookie apologized and was later their graduation speaker.— freddogg
- Football kickoff luncheon not graduation and he said the collective I. Q. of the team was 40.Some thought the remark was racist-but it was just a stupid I.Q joke— freddogg
- A sad day not only for eagles fans but for all of phila.he was a class act and will be missed.— s1360m
- Brookie was the best. Great guy and so personable. He spent time with people and gave so much to the community. He will be missed. Deep condolences to the Brookshier family for your loss.— mjr52
- A sad day for Philadelphia. A great player, and a fine man.— hobbit
- +I CONSIDERED TOM A FRIEND BECAUSE HE ALWAYS ENTERAINE US WITH FUN STORIES ABOUT HIS PLAYING DAYS AND HIS BROADCAST DAYS. HE WAS HUMBLE ,YET SINCERE IN LIVING LIFE TO HIS FULLEST.. HE WAS ALSO A GREAT HUSBAND TO HIS COLLEGE SWEETHEART BARBARA , HIS WIFE, AND FATHER TO THEIR CHILDREN ,HIS SON AND .LOVELY DAUGHTERS. WE WILL ALL MISS HIS GENUINESS AND SENSE OF HUMOR.. MY FAVORITE LUNCHEON WAS WITH JACK WHITAKER AND JIM MURRAY AND TOM.. I JUST ENJOYED THE BANTER AND COMMENTS.. WE LOST A GREAT FRIEND AND SUPER EAGLE.. CHET HARRINGTON— chet harrington
- +I CONSIDERED TOM A FRIEND BECAUSE HE ALWAYS ENTERAINE US WITH FUN STORIES ABOUT HIS PLAYING DAYS AND HIS BROADCAST DAYS. HE WAS HUMBLE ,YET SINCERE IN LIVING LIFE TO HIS FULLEST.. HE WAS ALSO A GREAT HUSBAND TO HIS COLLEGE SWEETHEART BARBARA , HIS WIFE, AND FATHER TO THEIR CHILDREN ,HIS SON AND .LOVELY DAUGHTERS. WE WILL ALL MISS HIS GENUINESS AND SENSE OF HUMOR.. MY FAVORITE LUNCHEON WAS WITH JACK WHITAKER AND JIM MURRAY AND TOM.. I JUST ENJOYED THE BANTER AND COMMENTS.. WE LOST A GREAT FRIEND AND SUPER EAGLE.. CHET HARRINGTON— chet harrington
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