Bill Bergey

William Earl Bergey (born February 9, 1945) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played collegiately for Arkansas State University and for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Philadelphia Eagles.

College career
Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York in 1945 and graduated from Arkansas State in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He was an All-American with the Arkansas State Indians and has been voted by fans the Top Player in Arkansas State history. He was a charter member of Delta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at ASU.

Bergey set ASU records for best tackling average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, most tackles in a game, most tackles in a season, and most career tackles. In 1968, Bergey averaged 19.6 tackles per game. He played in three post-season all-star games during his ASU career; he was selected to the All-Southland Conference team three times and to the Southland Conference All-First Decade Team. Bergey's jersey number 66 was retired by ASU.

Cincinnati Bengals
Bergey was drafted by the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals in the second round in 1969 and was an AFL All-Star in his first year. Bergey started for the Bengals for 5 years. After Bergey signed a "futures contract" with the World Football League, Bengals coach Paul Brown traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first-round and one second-round draft picks. When the WFL folded, his contract became voided. Bergey played a key role in the Eagles' subsequent rise, culminating in the trip to Super Bowl XV.

Philadelphia Eagles
With the Eagles, Bergey, a four-time All-Pro, set the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league. He earned Eagles MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. He was a popular player who was the foundation of the "Gang Green" defense that brought the Eagles back to the playoffs in 1978, 1979, and to the Super Bowl in 1980. He retired from professional football in 1981. He was inducted into the Eagles Roll of Honor in 1988.

Personal
Bergey served as a color commentator on Eagles radio broadcasts in 1982-83, and now does pre- and post-game radio and television commentary for the team during the season. He currently lives in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, with his wife Micky. He is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

His son, Jake Bergey, plays professional lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.