Tom Brookshier, former Eagles defensive back, dies of cancer

Sportscaster and former Philadelphia Eagle Tom Brookshier has died of cancer, ESPN is reporting.

Brookshier, 78, is one of only seven former Eagles to have their number (40) retired. He played as an All-Pro defensive back for the Eagles 1960 Championship Team and earned All-Pro honors in 1959 as well as 1960. Brookshier retired after a compound leg fracture sustained during play, and worked for many years as a sportscaster for CBS.

Brookshier died Friday night and in a statement, Eagles head coach Andy Reid eulogized the player:

“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,” Eagles head coach Andy Reid said in a team statement. “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.”

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