JONESBORO, Ark. – One of the all-time football greats for Arkansas State University, Bill Bergey, has died at the age of 79.
During his time with A-State, Bergy helped the football program to a 24-13-1 record and consecutive appearances in the Pecan Bowl. His senior season, he was also the Pecan Bowl Outstanding Defensive Player.
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Bergey established school records for best tackle average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season and most tackles in a game, season and career.
During his senior season, he averaged almost 20 tackles a game, making 33 tackles against Eastern Michigan.
“He was one of the greatest to ever play at Arkansas State, went on to have an outstanding career in the NFL and had a tremendous overall influence on the game of football,” A-State head football coach Butch Jones said. “We are grateful for everything he did for Arkansas State and the positive impact he had on the many lives that he touched.”
Bergey was selected All-Southland Conference three times and an All-America choice his senior season. He played in three postseason college all-star games and was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year for the South team in the North-South Shrine Game.
“Bill Bergey will be remembered as not only one of the best players in the history of Arkansas State football but one of our most prominent student-athletes ever among all our sports programs,” A-State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton said.
Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. He started over five years with the Bengals and in 1974 was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles.
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During his time with the Eagles, Bergey was a four-time All-Pro and set an NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker. At age 33, he was pro football’s highest-paid defensive player.
His last game was in Super Bowl XV. He ended his pro career with five selections to the Pro Bowl and as a two-time First Team All-Pro.
In Arkansas, he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Arkansas State University Hall of Heroes, a hall honoring members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), in which Bergey had been a second lieutenant.
His jersey was retired by A-State, and in 1976 fans voted him the best player in A-State history. He was also added to the football Ring of Honor on display in Centennial Bank Stadium.
After Bergey retired in 1981, he became involved in the hospitality business as part-owner of hotels and golf courses and made regular public appearances. He also remained in Philadelphia and spent over 23 years on television and radio as an Eagles postgame commentator.
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He is survived by his wife Mickey Kay Davenport, who he met in college in the early 1970s. The couple had three children, two of whom played professional lacrosse.