Bill Bergey Biography

William Earl Bergey, born February 9, 1945, was an American professional football linebacker who played 12 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft and played with the team through 1973, continuing in the NFL after the AFL–NFL merger. Bergey earned five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors, and he played in Super Bowl XV, which marked the end of his professional career. He attended Pine Valley Central High School in South Dayton, graduating in 1964, and later played college football at Arkansas State University under coach Bernie Ellender. At Arkansas State University, he established records for most tackles in a game, most tackles in a season, most career tackles, best tackling average in a season, and most fumble recoveries in a season. He was named to the All-Southland Conference team three times and later selected for the Southland Conference All-First Decade Team. In April 1974, he signed a personal service contract with the Washington Capitols, the owner of the World Football League's Virginia Ambassadors, which transitioned into the Florida Blazers when the league began play in July.